ARTIST INTERVIEW // DEAN THOMPSON

Dean Thompson’s skillfully drafted and thoughtfully composed minimal art objects imbue a subject of fragility and delicacy not often associated with his referenced street advertising and record sleeves. Thompson’s interest in the capabilities of the materials he uses extend somewhat to the submission to these materials, relinquishing control and reviling in uncertainty. Following the completion of a Bachelor of Arts (Painting) VCA, Dean Thompson was selected as one of the artists in the  2014 edition of Not Fair in Melbourne. Since then Thompson has exhibited consistently throughout Melbourne. He is also one of the co-founders of Paradise Hills Gallery in Richmond.

Dean's work is currently included in our group exhibition Future Process, co-curated by Michael Staniak and Ryan McGennisken. To coincide with the exhibition, we asked Dean Thomposon to tell us a little more about his artistic practice...

Describe your work in 100 words or less:

In a sense I skilfully draft and thoroughly compose minimal art objects that imbue a subject of fragility and delicacy often associated with references of street advertising, record sleeves and the music industry. I’m interested in the capabilities of the materials used extending somewhat to a point of submission where these materials relinquish all control and revealing in uncertainty.

Why Art?

It definitely wasn't for the money. Art started off just being an interest that careened into a full blown obsession.

Dean Thompson_Untitled 1_2015_mixed media on paper_75x55cm

How has your artistic practice changed over time?

I was a very clean figurative artist using traditional ideas and materials until I was driven to a point of frustration where the only time I felt comfortable and in control was when the work was becoming dirty and abstract. Taking these ideas of dirty and abstract has given me a fresh start which has been quite successful.

Which artistic movements do you most identify with? 

Suprematist abstraction.

How do you work? Can you tell us about your process? 

Its all about materials in combination with a number of layers in conjunction with the use of non traditional tools and processes.

Dean Thompson_Untitled 3_2015_mixed media on paper_75x55cm

What themes and ideas do you pursue? 

Its more like a concept album it has a narrative to it but I’m unsure whether or not it makes any scenes so I keep it all secret and let the object stand alone.

 What is your dream project? 

I would love to be part of Primavera at the Museum of Contemporary Art or work on a solo project in Los Angeles.

Where would you like to be in 5 years? 

Definitely working towards my dream projects.

Dean Thompson_Untitled 2_2015_mixed media on paper_75x55cm

If your work was a…

Song, it would be…
Mama Kin, Guns and Roses

Smell, it would be…
Jack Daniels

Meal, it would be…
$2 tacos

Animal, it would be…
Coyote

Word, it would be…
Sleazy

YouTube video, it would be…
Ridiculousness