AWS Feature: Dreaming In Colour With Artist Özlem Thompson

AWSFeature

31 Jan

Words by Emma Grayson

Özlem Thompson (pictured in front of art work)
Location: London, UK
Photograph provided by Özlem Thompson

Özlem Thompson was born in Istanbul in 1983. Raised in a multi-cultural family, Özlem holds Ukrainian, Armenian and Turkish roots. Always surrounded by either art or music, Thompson attributes her current artistic approach to the women in her life. More specifically, she credits her current creative inspirations to her grandmother and great-grandmother who both worked in fabricating different forms of design (from knitting to decorating wooden cabinets). The overlap between art, design and science has fascinated the artist since childhood. In school, she developed a “deep interest in … quantum physics,” which “helped open the doors of [her] imagination.” After obtaining a Master’s Degree in Botany and an Undergraduate Degree in Biology (both completed in Turkey), Thompson moved to London, United Kingdom to pursue her original artistic career and passion.

Her Master’s thesis explored “exotic plants and their [usage] in Industrial Design.” The microscope was - arguably - her first artistic tool. In studying these specific organisms in her daily labs and lab work, Özlem began to draw these specimens as a way to inform her own creative process as well as her own understanding of the physical world. Soon, she progressed from rough pencil sketches to painting in oils and acrylics.

At present, Özlem works solely in acrylic painting materials - due to the poor environmental impact of oil paints. Her passion for sustainability has led her to collaborate with other sustainable, eco-friendly and ethical brands such as Baniua and A Good Company.

‘Pyramid of the Sun’
By Özlem Thompson
62cm x 76cm x 2cm
Acrylic and Oil on Linen

Thompson’s work offers an escape from the bleak reality of present-day life [or rather from the past two or three years]. As she explains, “art helps us maintain our ability to process world events.” Nature is organic; it is unpredictable. The fluidity through which she expresses herself and the solace she finds in the natural world is highlighted by her artistic process. In art, it can be assumed that nature is asymmetric - it does not follow a specific pattern. Özlem’s work represents the subconscious manifestations of the artist’s personal thoughts, emotions, feelings and experiences. Her bold, organic brushstrokes move effortlessly across her canvas - illustrating both a literal and figural ‘unplanned journey’ via natural forms.

“In terms of a process, I just go with a rough idea that I have and once I start to paint, it’s as if my hand takes the lead … before long, a new world on the canvas is developing! It is the best way to discover my inner self and also share [this experience] with others,” says the artist. Vulnerability takes shape via Thompson’s work. At its core, her paintings are mirror images of the artist’s creative identity and spirit. One could only imagine what it must be like to put so much of yourself into the world in such a bold and fearless way.

‘The Flower Garden’
122cm x 153cm
Mixed Media on Canvas
£1,750

Thompson resides and works in Piet Mondrian’s former studio in London. As she explains: “[My] inspiration [comes] from the work of great artists such as Kandinsky, Matisse and Miró and Mondrian and the literature of Orwell, Goethe and Hugo which I listen to while painting.” Özlem’s artwork is also influenced by Expressionism and Abstract Surrealism - reminiscent of artists such as Niki de Saint Phalle and Hilma af Klint.

‘Dreams’
51cm x 61cm
Acrylic on Canvas (with floating black wooden frame)

Although this fascination with art and science would appear to contradict itself, Özlem conveys a mastery of these opposing metaphysical and physical influences through her work. With the world’s sudden fascination in NFTs, it is seemingly appropriate that Apollo NFT Gallery in Portugal and NuPay Technologies in Ohio, U.S.A. are in the midst of transforming Thompson’s paintings into digital tokens and works of art.

Özlem’s work has been exhibited internationally in London, Madrid and New York as well as in various private collections. In November 2021, her work was featured in a group show, “Into the Cosmere” by agency and gallery Brushes with Greatness based in London. The show featured artists from Europe, the U.K. and North America. In February 2022, she will participate in a group exhibition hosted by The Artist Workspace Gallery on February 3-6 at 147 Stoke Newington High Street (Private View: February 3 from 6-9 PM).