About

In a 25+ year career, Sydney-based artist, Ian Thomas has staged over 20 solo exhibitions and had work included in numerous group shows in Sydney, Melbourne and London. His practice ranges from painting to mixed media and installations, and more recently, textile works. These newer works fuse textiles and text to create bold, tactile works rooted in protest and social commentary, Using fabric as both medium and message, they stitch together stories of resistance and vulnerability. The work amplifies collective voices, transforming everyday materials into statements opf resistance and care. 

Career highlights have included a residencies at Bundanon, NSW and Factory49 Paris; public commissions for Brookfield Properties for Mardi Gras 2025 and for the Newtown Art Seat for Mardi Gras 2019; showing as part of Pride Amplified during World Pride 2023; being a 2025 finalist in the Gosford and Fishers Ghost Art Prizes and receiving a highly commended award in the 2022 and 2023 Art Edit Self-Represented Art Prize.

Ian’s work is held in private and corporate collections throughout Australasia and Europe, having been purchased by such varied collectors as fashion designer, Colette Dinnigan and Melbourne’s five star Grand Hyatt Hotel. He is also a featured artist in the Sheraton Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Sydney.

Ian has been selected to show at The Other Art Fair on nine occasions, in Sydney, Melbourne and London; was nominated in Vogue Living as one of five talents to watch at the latest fair in Melbourne and has been chosen as a feature artist by the Chief Curator and VP, Art Advisory at Saatchi Art. Ian’s work has appeared in many publications including GQ, Home Beautiful, Real Living and the Sydney Morning Herald.

For more information on any of the works you see on this site or to arrange a visit to the studio, email ian@ianthomasart.com.au