Jeff Thomson

B. 1957

Jeff Thomson, White feather 2024, corrugated iron, 1370 x 270 x 40 mm $3700

Mahoe leaf, 2025, screenprinted corrugated iron, 1120 mm length $3000

Jeff Thomson, Large bouquet, 2023, screen printed corrugated iron, 1500 x 1250 x 100 mm $7500

Jeff Thomson, Kete, 2024, corrugated iron $2900

Jeff Thomson, Chook, 2022, corrugated steel, 470 x 400 x 160 mm $1900. Other sizes and forms available on request.

Jeff Thomson, Knitting needles, of sizes $950 each jar

Artist Biography

Sculptor Jeff Thomson was born in Castor Bay, Auckland, in 1957. He attended Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1981. Jeff and his wife, Shona Cameron, live in a huge corrugated iron shed in Helensville, North Auckland.

Jeff’s major focus as a student was not sculpture, but painting and printmaking. However, in 1980, while taking a break from his studies, Jeff found himself living in a small seaside crib, in Portobello, 20km out of Dunedin. It was during this time that a profound change occurred in his approach to life, art, and environment. It came about through the discovery of an ancient pursuit – walking. While walking the rural and urban miles, Jeff started observing and collecting the wealth of highway paraphernalia that he found on our roadsides. These highway experiences culminated in the rural letterbox sculptures, the first body of Jeff’s works to gain national recognition. And it was through this letterbox series of works that Jeff came face to face with his chosen material – corrugated iron.

Since then, Jeff has become well-known on both sides of the Tasman for his work with corrugated iron. He was Frances Hodgkins Fellow at the University of Otago in 1995. His works are held in numerous major public and private collections both in Australasia, and internationally. He has completed numerous high-profile public commissions, including the iconic Gumboot in Taihape, and the Helensville Toilets, in Auckland. Private commissions are also a speciality, and there are very few animals Jeff has not reproduced. Perhaps his most well-known work is his HQ Holden, a 1994 Holden station wagon clad in corrugated iron. Although the car originally had a motor and was driven around and exhibited in both New Zealand and Australia, it now resides in the collection of Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand.

https://www.jeffthomson.co.nz/

Solo Exhibitions

  • Paper clip chain, 2024
  • Frame, 2018
  • Squash/Mold/Heavy Metal/ Press, 2014
  • Chooks, 2014
  • New works, 2011
  • Feathers, 2010
  • New work, 2008
  • New work, 2006

Group Exhibitions

  • Wrapped, 2023
  • You won’t believe your eyes…a visual miscellany, 2023
  • Land is the mother of man, 2022
  • About time, 2021
  • Wrapped 2019
  • Jeff Thomson and Ans Westra: Natural History, 2016
  • Wrapped, 2015
  • Summer Show, 2013-2104
  • Louise Purvis, Jeff Thomson, Ans Westra: Hanging together, 2012