New Beginnings… November 2023
In the new space. Self portrait with teacup. November 2023
Having relocated from the US to Sydney, I have now set up my workspace and showroom in amongst the enclave of design studios in post industrial Alexandria. This has taken a while. Just as I was about ready to "open" the building was scaffolded and work began on the roof.
Fortunately this is now finished.
To celebrate my new space I asked my niece, Eliza Cooper, to create a short video featuring the jacquard artworks from my Jesture Collection. Eliza is a choreographer, dancer and director who will be premiering her work with the Sydney Dance Company this coming December as one of the New Breedemerging artists.
Eliza worked with her friend and collaborator, dancer Allie Graham.
Keeping things very much “in house” my mother composed the music and my sister Rachel and I organized the visual space in the studio.
The piece was edited by a long-term New York colleague, John Giura.
Allie Graham in the Jesture video.
Mid morning light in the downstairs showroom.
Allie in motion in the upstairs studio
After 20 years in New York, where I lived and worked in my loft in Soho, it is an interesting change to have an independent space to work in. I can cycle there on my bike: an activity which always fills me with a cheeky teenage energy.
Situated in Maddox Street, the studio is part of a refurbished 1940’s warehouse development featuring split-level creative spaces - a moody ground floor showroom with an expansive, light filled upstairs studio looking out onto the historic sawtooth roof.
This space serves to showcase the evolving vignette of the MT world. I'm in a constant state of shuffling things around. Photographing and rephotographing them. Next year I plan to host workshops in Creative Process. Artwork, ceramics and furniture pieces are all available for purchase and the studio offers product collaboration and bespoke fabric, wallpaper and rug production.
The showroom is open by appointment. Please email info@martynthompsonstudio.com or call +61410613977
Ceramics from the Jesture collection.
The Jesture theme has dominated my work of the recent past. Centred around ideas of carnival and circus, a nod to the ancient, the outsider and a spirit of adventure. The medieval Jester, with their elaborate costumes and mischievous personalities, serve as muse for the collection, infusing it with a kaleidoscope of color, energy, and wonder.
a happy December to all,
xm
Showroom vignette. Carnival Sea Jacquard Textile Artwork from the Jesture series, framed photographs and a Pink Check rug..