Jeff Thomson

Unconventional, humorous, challenging, iconic and ironic, the sculpture of Jeff Thomson gave us a whole new perspective of corrugated iron in the New Zealand landscape and in art. His corrugated iron cows, elephants and animals appeared in the early 1980s, transforming one of the most ubiquitous materials in the Kiwi landscape and making us think twice about art at the same time. It has made his work sought-after here and overseas.

Recent Work 

New Threads of Old and New Iron
His latest works, all abstract, defy the practical connotations of domestic objects and materials – such as mats, woven material and fabrics, a complete contradiction of practical and impractical when created out of corrugated steel and iron. His long-held interest in maps, as visual designs and as markers of our ‘place’, surfaces in a new way, with strips screenprinted, corrugated, and woven to play with ideas about our links to place. It could be read as how, no matter where in this country we come from, our lives are interwoven in unexpected ways.

Fine woven works like Lattice and Ridged Mat appear soft in the delicacy of the iron strips, as if they were made of wool or mohair, casting a tracery of shadow onto the wall. The incredibly finger-knitted dome of Web also casts an ethereal shadow beneath; the very opposite to the tightly woven Dome, of the same dimension but a superbly intuitive composition interweaving the original colours of old corrugated roofing iron. This is a piece of New Zealanders’ history captured and transformed, projecting back at us. Mesh reads as if made of fine ribbons of lace, in subtle shades of silver, russet and grey with accents of gold in the solder.

The striking red, white and yellow threads of ‘baby iron’ (fine corrugations) in Ridge Cap are tightly laced like tukutuku panelling, cut from screenprinted, corrugated panels. Thomson then takes us back to the original purpose of the medium by pressing a roofing ridge cap shape into the weaving. It’s a standout work in the show and like many of the works, can be hung square or on an angle to equal effect.

The ridge cap surfaces subtly and repeatedly in other brilliantly coloured woven works, the brilliantly blue Kaipara from steel screenprinted for a new public commission, and the intense green Fern Ridge. The latter, screenprinted both sides, can hang indoors or outside.
The small maps are printed on steel using an Intron Press, at Otago University.

Three small Filigree works are handknitted wire; these can be wall hung simply on panel pins in various ways – flat, rolled, angled or square to create fine shadows - or arranged on a flat surface. The large woven sculptures are easily hung using two or three nails.

Outdoor sculpture
And in the vineyard, a floating sculpture, Spindrift, plays on the most practical and humble use of corrugated iron – the ubiquitous water tank which stood beside every seaside bach or farmhouse, an essential to rural life. He transforms it into the foundation of a floating artwork, drifting and spinning around the tank with the breeze. The water remains essential, but here, to support the wing-shaped sculpture. This is anchored, and the water level alters the tension and dictates how much it moves. Thomson is completing a classic tank stand platform on steel legs for the work (included in the price).

These are all are indicative of Thomson’s ability to shrug off expectation and classification, and explore new challenges and conundrums in metal. His trademark corrugations remain, but here the viewer is challenged with how a material deemed functional or heavy can become an object of beauty and elegance. Primarily wall sculptures, they are intriguing both in their craftsmanship and keenly observed philosophy.

More About the Artist 

Despite fame, Thomson remains real and grounded, just like his corrugated iron Holden, a permanent favourite at Te Papa Tongarewa, the National Museum. Thomson’s work is keenly sought after by collectors in New Zealand and overseas, and he has had major exhibitions in Australia and Germany as well as New Zealand. His work never stands still, and this exhibition further demonstrates why he continues to be recognised as one of our leading and most original contemporary artists today.

Commissioned works — animals, kete, feathers etc
Various animals (including chickens, fantails, wetas, sheep etc) and objects such as woven kete, native plants, and feathers are available on commission using both screenprinted or ‘found’ corrugated iron. Please enquire for images and prices (starting from $700).
 

Please contact us to confirm current prices: most prices are posted at the time of exhibition, and may be revised as the artists’ values increase.