Thomas Thorby-Lister
Bladensburg National Park (Mapping 04) | 2025 | Acrylic on linen | 92 x 76cm
Sunshine Coast National Art Prize 2025 - Finalist
Image courtesy of the artist
Artist Statement
Exploring a segment of Bladensburg National Park, this artwork draws upon Historical Aerial Photography databases, satellite imagery, and generative mapping as references for its composition. The aerial landscape painting adopts a collage-like approach, incorporating layers of drawing, brushwork, and gridding reminiscent of cartography. Through this amalgamation of techniques, the painting delves into the concept of 'place,' questioning the notion that maps or GPS coordinates provide a complete and accurate understanding of one's location in the world.
Thomas Thorby-Lister’s conceptually driven practice spans across painting, site-ac6on, drawing and digital media. Through abstraction, fieldwork, and site-specific projects, he examines the limitations of traditional representations of information. Thomas uses alternative methods to record and describe physical environments, both digital and analogue. Recent projects explore the concept of agency, the complexities of geography and cartography, and sites of environmental disasters.