Born in London in 1979, Thomas D Wright left home at
the age of 18 with only what was in his pockets, relying on his creativity to survive.
Immersed in the vibrant underground arts scene in his twenties, he became a contributing
figure to the rave culture of the 2000s and beyond.
Throughout his odyssey, Wright embraced various
artistic endeavours, from a decade-long stint as a tattoo artist to roles as a
sign writer, set designer for Netflix productions, and an electronic music
producer and DJ, gracing stages at renowned festivals like Glastonbury and Boom
Town. The echoes of these diverse experiences resonate through the intricate
layers of his work.
In 2018, he answered the call of his true passion:
painting. His academic journey led him to excel, graduating with first-class honours
from LCC, University of the Arts London, with a BA in Illustration and Visual
Media, followed by an MA in Painting from the prestigious Royal College of Art,
London, in 2023.
Establishing his presence in the art world, Wright
began exhibiting in galleries and art fairs, showcasing his talents, including the
esteemed Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 2023.
During his tenure at the RCA, his fascination with
anatomy and medical imagery took root, culminating in a unique collaboration
with Dr. Giampaolo Martinelli, a consultant anaesthetist at St. Bartholomew’s
Hospital, London. Immersed in the realm of cardiac surgeries, Wright documented
these profound experiences through photography and sound, channelling them into
his paintings.
His visual lexicon draws inspiration from a lifelong passion
for the baroque, the opulent beauty of the Renaissance, and the boundless
realms of surrealism. Blending these influences with his own contemporary
insights and life encounters, Wright cultivates a distinctive artistic style.
Primarily working in oils, he employs bold,
expressive brushstrokes juxtaposed with pockets of intricate graphic detail,
crafting works that are both provocative and captivating, often exploring the
realms of the grotesque while inviting introspection and contemplation.
