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Mai Thomas
Artist statement
I was born and brought up in North Wales and my work has always been influenced directly by the diversity in the landscape around me. I now live in the beautiful Ceiriog Valley on the Welsh borders.
My studies at the Central School of Art and The Royal College of Art in London focused my attention on painting. I painted large scale works which pictured gardens and outdoor spaces, some describing events and encounters within them. I have always been fascinated by natural forms and plants, their sculptural and textural qualities. Over recent years I have developed my ideas by making 3D forms out of natural materials both sheep’s fleece and willow. My recent focus has been to make my work and materials sustainable and develop new techniques of growing my own materials.
Education
| Secondary |
Ysgol David Hughes, Menai Bridge. |
| 1982 - 83 |
Gwynedd Technical College Arts Foundation Course |
| 1983 - 86 |
Central School of Art and Design , London BA Hons Fine Art |
| 1987 - 89 |
Royal College of Art, London MA Fine Art |
| 2004 - 05 |
Gwent College, Forest School Leadership Level 3 |
| 2005 - 06 |
Chester University PGCE |
| 2012 (on going) |
Glyndwr University PhD |
Solo Exhibitions
| 2012 |
Testbed Oriel Davies, Newtown |
| 2011 |
'Weaving through Tradition'. The Ruthin Craft Centre and The Cywain
Centre, Bala |
| 1993 |
Earth and Air, Quay Arts Centre, Newport, I.O.W
Oriel Davies, Newtown, Wales. |
| 1987 |
Homerton Hospital, Day Centre, London
In Memory of the Fallen’, Oriel U.C.N.W.Bangor |
Group exhibitions
| 2011 |
'Welsh Artists', The Willow Gallery, Oswestry |
| 2011 |
'Getting closer to Wildflower Seeds’, The National Wildflower Centre, Liverpool |
| 2009 |
Art In Nature, Wepre Park Visitor’s Centre, Connahs Quay |
| 2008 |
'Drawing on', Rhyl Arts Centre |
| 2004 |
Bodelwyddan Castle, Bodelwyddan |
| 2002 |
Welsh Artists, Oriel Mon, Gwynedd |
| 1999 |
'The Nature of Things', Black Swan Gallery, Somerset |
| 1998 |
Young Wales ,The Royal Cambrian Academy, Conwy
The Garden Gallery, Quay Arts Centre, I.O.W
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| 1997 |
Quay Open, Quay Arts Centre, I.O.W |
| 1996 |
The National Eisteddfod, Bala |
| 1995 |
The Bayers Earth Art Prize, Mall Galleries, London
The Oxford Gallery, Oxford
Oriel Davies, Open Exhibiton, Newtown
The Beatrice Royal Gallery, Eastleigh
|
| 1992 |
C.A.S Art Market, Smiths Gallery, London |
| 1991 |
The European Grand Tour, Quay Arts Centre Denmark, Brussels, Santander |
| 1990 |
Tom Tempest Radford Collections, Bishopsgate, London
C.A.S Market, Smiths Gallery, London
|
| 1989 |
Mai Thomas and Tracey Beckerley, Todd Gallery, London.
Long and Ryle Int. I.C.A.F, Olympia, London
'The New Generation' Bonhams, London
Works on Paper, Todd Gallery, London
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| 1988 |
The Leicestershire Collection, Beaumanor Hall Loughborough
I.C.A.F, Olympia, London.
Contemporary Arts Society Market, Smiths Gallery,London.
'Barclays Young Painter Award', Royal College of Art, London
Artist 89’, Chelsea Harbour, London.
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| 1987 |
'Eight Painters', 24 Rathbone Street, London
Whitechapel Open, Whitechapel Gallery, London |
Funding for exhibitions and awards
C.V.S Award ‘Journeys and Encounters’, Burston Award, Royal College of Art
Artist ’89 Travel Prize, Arts Council for Wales, Southern Arts, Isle of Wight Council,
Flintshire County Council. The Arts Council for Wales individual grant for my ‘Weaving through Tradition’ project. The Princes Foundation for the Arts.
Public and private collections
Welsh Contemporary Arts Society
St. Mary’s Hospital, I.O.W
Unilever Plc
Rosehaugh and Stanhope Developers
Private homes in Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Austrailia, France and Britain
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