Garry
Thomas
THOMAS was born and brought up in the valleys of South Wales and attended the Fine Arts BA course at Newport College of Art and Design studying painting, sculpture and printmaking.
While at Newport, like many art students, he also developed a musical career forming various groups and bands, from the conceptual art-rock group The Gaydogs, to rock band Kratzy.
Thomas would eventually go on to form The Mirrors with Jivin' Al who also played in another group The Vultures with Woody Mellor on guitar, later to be known as Joe Strummer of The Clash.
The Mirrors went on to record two singles for London label Lightning Records in 1977/78 – 'Cure for Cancer' and 'You're Wearing Dark Glasses'. Thomas moved to London in 1978 where he formed and played in bands The Stereotypes, The Room and finally The Fuse before pursuing a career in graphic design and then journalism.
He moved to Glasgow in 1984 and now lives with his family in Strathaven, South Lanarkshire and also works as a newspaper editor.
He has exhibited at various exhibitions and group exhibitions in Wales, England and Scotland – a solo exhibition at the East Kilbride Arts Centre, Glasgow, was well received and reviewed as, "Real comments on modern society combined with a fresh painting style. Refreshing work." And, "Thought provoking work, a powerful communicator." Further exhibitions are scheduled in 2009. In 1990 he published a graphic novel entitled 'Jake Bramah and the Culture City Rip-off. Critically acclaimed at the time for a Glasgow set in the not-to-distant-future. The Evening Times, Glasgow, said: 'A dark new strip that rips open the underbelly the City of Culture.'
The graphic novel screen rights are currently being considered by Andy and Larry Wachowski, (The Matrix trilogy)
Figurative art as always been a primary interest for Thomas in painting and influences are artists and writers that have dealt with the human condition.
In art, images that impart a psychological, social, economic and political dimension. As Frank Auerbach said: 'There is no central and exciting subject than the human being wholly seen."
Thomas's work is underpinned with a tangible sense of unease, of physical encounter, time's effect, the malaise of the human condition set against the implacable routine of its environment.
"This is what I attempt to do to is release the flow of stored images, reflections, and sometimes angry, responses and ideas and pull them together in to a composition that sparks further ideas.
"I prefer to work with traditional mediums like oils, pastel, charcoal, and graphite and in print making etching. "Because of their nature and tradition they make a primary connection with the viewer while allowing the flexibility and freedom for accidents and chance to go beyond the intended image.
"I see art and particularly painting has being either passive or active painting, I like to think of my work as being the latter.
The ideas should be more than the technique but inseparable.
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