Thomas Lawson: Disrupting Perception and Political Painting

Thomas Lawson, born in 1951 in Glasgow, is a prominent figure within the Pictures Generation, a group of artists known for their radical approaches to image-making and critical engagement with mass media and culture. Lawson’s work is rooted in a deep exploration of the politics of painting, where he challenges traditional modes of representation and perception.

Artistic Approach and Philosophy

Lawson’s process of creating art is driven by an intuitive engagement with images, often drawn from a variety of historical, mythological, and aesthetic sources. In his own words, he is "drawn to the images" for many reasons, sometimes driven by sympathy, other times by the resonance of a gesture through history, or simply an aesthetic response. These images are transformed through a series of actions designed to bring them into a new context, through painting, optical plays, experiments with color, mark, and texture. For Lawson, this tactile and visual engagement is a way of thinking about the image itself, free from any predetermined goal.

A Political Engagement with Image and Representation

Lawson’s work frequently engages with themes of mythology, historical events, and figures, often rendered through a Neo-Surrealist lens. He disrupts conventional representations of these subjects, introducing ambiguity and dissonance. His paintings are known for their disorienting qualities, as they challenge both the viewer's perception and the very meaning of the image. In this way, Lawson's work forces a reconsideration of how images communicate meaning, calling into question temporality, visual conventions, and political implications.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Throughout his career, Lawson has exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions, both nationally and internationally. Notable solo exhibitions include the Dallas Biennial (2014), David Kordansky Gallery (2012), and LAXART in Los Angeles (2007). His work has also been included in significant group shows such as Ends and Exits: Contemporary Art from the Collections of LACMA and The Broad Art Foundation at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (2013), Made in L.A. 2012 organized by the Hammer Museum (2012), and The Pictures Generation: 1974-1984 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2009).

His works are held in prestigious public collections including the Brooklyn Museum, New York; the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; and Tate, London.

Academic Contributions and Legacy

In addition to his artistic practice, Thomas Lawson is an educator and curator. He serves as the Dean of the School of Art at CalArts and is the Editor-in-Chief of East of Borneo, a journal dedicated to contemporary art and culture. Lawson's influence extends beyond the gallery walls, making him a key figure in the intellectual and artistic development of contemporary visual culture.

Living and working in Los Angeles, Lawson continues to engage with the evolving conversations surrounding painting, image-making, and politics.