San Francisco artist Ani Thompkins uses large silhouette-sized canvases and abstracted, disembodied figures to represent the pull of the crush, sexuality, and need or aversion. An outward presentation of a very personal experience, each piece allows the viewer to find his or her own experience inside the frame.
Sensuality in these paintings is heightened by staining un-primed canvas, linen, or muslin with inks and high-viscosity acrylic paint, soaking the fabric. This process creates depth, through thin layers of color, and luminosity, as light filters through the fabric without the obstruction of primer.
Because the pieces are moody, taking advantage of a specific deliberation or emotional state becomes fundamental to creating a finished piece with impact. The paintings are refined over the course of several months.
Education
Exhibitions
Spring 1998 San Francisco Art Institute Senior Show Walter McBean Gallery
Summer 1999 Open Studios Potrero Hill
Summer 2003 Solo show at Jackson Place Salon
October 2005 Open Studios Potrero Hill
Spring 2007 Solo show at Filter Talent San Francisco
Spring 2007 Heidi McBride Gallery and Art Consultancy (Portland, OR)
Summer 2007 Solo show Chez Poulet Gallery
January 2009 Group show Good Vibrations - Polk Street Gallery
July 2009 Solo show Periscope Cellars, Emeryville
September 2009 John Brody Salon, San Francisco
April 2010 Group show Warehouse Gallery, Oakland
May 2010 Benefit Auction Warehouse Gallery, Oakland
Awards
1997 Recipient of the SFAI Council Scholarship grant
1997 Recipient of the Golden Artists Color Award
1998 Recipient of the Supplemental Art Materials Award
All work copyright 1998-2010, Ani Thompkins. All Rights Reserved.