WELCOME TO MARKUS' STUDIOS!
Markus is mainly an abstract painter, mostly using sustainable materials, or materials that were headed for landfill. Markus' 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 his work. It is his intention, through his work of sculpture and painting, to enrich the lives of his community, both locally and globally. His work often involves carving, painting and sanding, and even burning, to bring about the exciting works, which represent the history of material things, reflecting life and life's experiences. These you can see on the page 'greenish paintings', above. He enjoys conversations occurring that otherwise would not have happened, coming about due to his work stirring up emotions or thoughts.
Markus is presently also teaching art for all levels, from beginners to advanced, at his studio, The Lodge Studio, in St Leonards, nr Hastings. He has many years of experience teaching art, from children to post grad level, but mostly at university level in Dublin for 17yrs.
An Interview with Lesley Samms from Pure Art:
Markus is mainly an abstract painter, mostly using sustainable materials, or materials that were headed for landfill. Markus' 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 his work. It is his intention, through his work of sculpture and painting, to enrich the lives of his community, both locally and globally. His work often involves carving, painting and sanding, and even burning, to bring about the exciting works, which represent the history of material things, reflecting life and life's experiences. These you can see on the page 'greenish paintings', above. He enjoys conversations occurring that otherwise would not have happened, coming about due to his work stirring up emotions or thoughts.
Markus is presently also teaching art for all levels, from beginners to advanced, at his studio, The Lodge Studio, in St Leonards, nr Hastings. He has many years of experience teaching art, from children to post grad level, but mostly at university level in Dublin for 17yrs.
An Interview with Lesley Samms from Pure Art:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Markus has done commissions of private sculpture as well as shown his work in various international galleries over the years. He had work in a members showing in Hastings, April and August, 2022, and then he showed work in Kensington, London, in early July, then held a joint show with his wife, Tessa Thonett, in July and Aug 2022, as artists in residence - at the Bannatyne Hotel, also in Hastings. They also gave a one day workshop at that time.
They held a joint show together in the Hastings Arts Forum Gallery during the 1st two weeks of October, 2022.
Markus 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 . He 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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click the button below to see a short interview about the exhibition which ran for 2 months at Bannatyne Spa Hotel, Hastings, in July and Aug 2022