Thompson Hall
b. 1975
Portrait of Thompson Hall
My work is primarily large-scale acrylic paintings and pastel drawings. I explore my everyday experiences and the situations I find myself in. I then use these observations to create flat and patterned compositions. My use of colour has been described as spontaneous, using my palette to express the feelings and emotions I want to create. I use recognisable symbols in my work to give visual references to the subjects I’ve chosen. They are like news images in a “more abstract” than true to life way.
I have nurtured an interest in art and art history, with references like Auerbach and Ophili, whilst visiting exhibitions across London. My recent work is inspired by the inequalities of society and what is happening in the world around me, in regards to politics, social change, marginalisation and now what the impact of Covid and lockdowns are having on our society. We live by rules and regulations that say you can’t do this and you can’t do that. In my paintings I am trying to tell people how this makes me feel.
When I first joined ActionSpace in 1997, it gave me a chance to overcome the barriers that I faced within my life. I have had the chance to develop my ideas and work in an assisted studio. I have been able to exhibit my work widely and had many artistic opportunities through being with ActionSpace. My latest project has allowed me mentoring time with Mark Sealy at Autograph Gallery, which has further inspired me to engage on a personal level to a wider audience. It gives me a sense of pride from what I’ve done, to be able to now develop my practice even further.
BSL / About the Artist
Interpreted by Deaf artist Rebecca Vaughan
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Subtitled Film
BSL Film
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ActionSpace is London’s leading development agency for artists with learning disabilities. They are an exceptional visual arts organisation with big ambitions for all the artists that they work with. They support, advocate and promote diversity within the contemporary visual arts sector. All of their work is focused towards enabling artists with learning disabilities to have a professional career in the arts.