Biography

Ann Thomson is an Australian artist renowned for her unique approach to painting, where the subconscious closely interacts with place or image. Her work reveals a deep fascination with suspended elements and an obsession with the invisible reality hidden beneath the surface of things. Her nervous and fluid calligraphy evokes the rock paintings of the Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia, reflecting a subtle connection to cultural roots and the natural landscape.

From the beginning of her career, Ann Thomson has explored the turbulence of water as well as the invisible movements of air, themes she expresses through recurring motifs such as flying machines, sails, and windmills. This exploration extends beyond the canvas, also inspiring her sculptures and mobiles, developed alongside her paintings.

Based in Sydney, Ann Thomson has exhibited widely both in Australia and internationally, with presentations in China, France, Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, and Germany. Her reputation was notably established in 1992 when she represented Australia at the Seville Universal Exposition, where she created the monumental sculpture Australia Felix for the Australian Pavilion.

“I am fascinated by what is both visible and invisible, what lies beneath the surface. My painting is an exploration of these multiple realities, blending the tangible and intangible,” explains Ann Thomson.

Art critic Sarah Johnson notes:

“Ann Thomson’s work is distinguished by a unique calligraphic energy, where memory, nature, and culture intertwine to create vibrant works full of movement and mystery. Her ability to translate the invisible forces of wind and water into pictorial forms is remarkable.”

Her work continues to captivate through its ability to blend abstraction, poetry, and references to nature, expressing a profound and sensitive vision of the world around her.

Her works are held in prestigious collections including:

• Artbank, Australia
 • Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
 • Australian National Gallery, Canberra, Australia
 • University Art Museum, University of Queensland, Australia
 • Australian Consolidated Press, Australia
 • Alcoa Foundation, United States
 • Villa Haiss Museum, Zell, Germany
 • Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, Spain
 • James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
 • Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
 • Macquarie Bank, Sydney, Australia
 • Myer Collection, Melbourne, Australia
 • Newcastle Region Art Gallery, Australia
 • New England Regional Art Museum, Armidale, Australia
 • United Nations (UN), New York, United States
 • Parliament House, Canberra, Australia
 • Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, Australia
 • Sydney College of Advanced Education, Australia
 • Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney, Australia
 • The Darling Harbour Authority, Sydney, Australia
 • University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
 • Visual Arts Board, Australia
 • Western Mining Company, Western Australia, Australia
 • Wollongong University College, Australia
 • Private Collections: Australia, France, United States