“In 1982, I didn't think about much except what I was wearing—when I finished school that year I went to New York and hung out at Danceteria—I dated a barman there—English Pete—he worked the VIP floor. Lots of stuff happened—I was mugged, my mate Ellen bitched about Madonna ripping her off, I got trashed, my weight dropped. And I wanted to meet Debbie Harry, but never did. New York wasn’t like Sydney—in New York everyone was about to Be Something—in Sydney everyone just went to the beach.”



Thompson began to paint fabrics, turning them into skirts - selling them to a local boutique. Eventually he took pictures of his own designs and thus became more interested in photography than any other form of creative expression. Thompson says, “I saw photos by Paolo Roversi in British Vogue - they were like paintings.”



The sources of inspiration in Thompson’s oeuvre can be anything from the simplicity of a reflected ray of sunlight to the majestic complexity of a Caravaggio painting. His work contains a strong documentary element, drawing the viewer into a scene in a way that raises intriguing and often enigmatic questions about what has just transpired. Though his pictures are clearly shaped by an acute sense of visual history, they retain a strong contemporary identity. His images have been described as embodying the essence of tactile realism, while at the same time they posses a painterly quality. “I guess I am inspired by many things, the naive and the abstract, from Australian Indigenous paintings, to the photography of Aaron Siskin and Harry Callahan.”



Martyn Thompson’s work as an internationally acclaimed photographer spans over twenty years. His work includes editorial features in the most prominent magazines and high profile advertising campaigns. English born, though raised in Sydney, Australia, Thompson has traveled the world, having lived in London and Paris. He now resides in New York.



THOMPSON'S BODY OF WORK INCLUDES:



EDITORIAL



Vanity Fair, Men’s Vogue, British Vogue, W, House & Garden, Gourmet, Travel & Leisure, The New York Times Magazine & City

Magazine.



ADVERTISING



Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Hermès, American Express, Sony, Grey Goose, Cole Haan, Estée Lauder & MAC Cosmetics



PUBLISHED BOOKS



Concrete, Home Is Where the Heart Is, Sensual Home, Wild at Heart & The River Cafe Cook Book Series



GROUP EXHIBITIONS



“Cut/Break” - Stella Schnabel & Everard Findlay Benefit for SFOTEs Laventille Bus Project20 - New York City 2008

“Icon” - International Center of Photography Benefit Auctions - New York City 2006

“American Beauty” - International Center of Photography Benefit Auctions - New York City 2006

“Hope” - Benefit for the Dalai Lama hosted by Donna Karan. Stephen Weiss Studio - New York City 2006

“Eros” - International Center of Photography Benefit Auctions - New York City 2003



SOLO EXHIBITIONS



“Existence” - Benefit for the Dalai Lama & The Norbulingka Institute - New York City 2003

“Inside Out” - Volvo Galler y - Sydney 1999

“Content” - The Truman Brewer y - Brick Lane, London 1998

“Elsa Peretti in Sant Marti Vel” - Tiffany - London 1996

“Elsa Peretti in Sant Marti Vel” - Tiffany - Sydney 1995