WELCOME TO MY STUDIO!
I am mainly an abstract and conceptual artist, mostly using sustainable materials, or materials that were headed for landfill. My concern as an artist is to question and challenge conventional perceptions and opinions about identity, purpose and the nature of every day life. Relationships play a central role in my work. My work often involves carving, painting and sanding, and even burning, to bring about the exciting textures, which represent the history of material things, reflecting life and life's experiences. These you can see on the page 'greenish paintings', above. I enjoy conversations occurring that otherwise would not have happened, coming about due to my work stirring up emotions or thoughts. |
I have done commissions of private sculptures, as well as shown my work in various international galleries over the years.
In 2022 I had work in Hastings Arts Forum, and then held a joint show with my wife, Tessa Thonett for 2 months, as artists in residence at the Bannatyne Hotel, also in Hastings. We gave a one day workshop as part of that residency.
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In September both Tessa and I had work accepted in Boomer Gallery, Tower Bridge, London
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I was born in Germany to artist parents (Will Thonett and Marianne Tralau), and studied in Dun Laoghaire School of Art and Design (now IADT), Dublin, Ireland.
I taught sculpture and drawing at university level for seventeen years at
D. I .T, as well as teaching art to children, troubled youth and post grad students over the years. I held many exhibitions in both Germany and Ireland during those years.
Since meeting Tessa we have travelled the world, always making art wherever we landed - we lived in Upstate New York and Cameroon, Africa, before moving to the UK (Tessa's homeland) in 2004. We moved to Hastings in mid 2022.
I taught sculpture and drawing at university level for seventeen years at
D. I .T, as well as teaching art to children, troubled youth and post grad students over the years. I held many exhibitions in both Germany and Ireland during those years.
Since meeting Tessa we have travelled the world, always making art wherever we landed - we lived in Upstate New York and Cameroon, Africa, before moving to the UK (Tessa's homeland) in 2004. We moved to Hastings in mid 2022.
An Interview about my life's work so far, with Lesley Samms from Pure Art,:
Click the button below to see a short interview with Tessa and myself about the exhibition which ran for 2 months at Bannatyne Spa Hotel, Hastings, in July and Aug 2022