2015 Graduate
Bachelor of Visual Art with Honours
“After leaving high school and working in construction I realised after a couple of years that something was missing. I have been a drawer my whole life and always found myself making, after working a few mundane jobs I decided to study at Adelaide Central School of Art. At this point I was unsure of where it would lead but I knew I needed to be challenged and stimulated in a creative way, a way I wasn’t receiving in other parts of my life.
As scary as it was for me to study my first degree I wouldn’t change a thing, not only did I learn the invaluable techniques I’d hoped for from lecturers that are practising artists and gain a better understanding of how to conceptualise my work but I also met lots of amazing people, both lecturers and other students I studied with. These people are a huge part of my life and I feel like I have found my community. These sorts of connections and networks that ACSA has to offer are beyond the walls of the school, they are life-long relationships and learning opportunities!”
Thomas Readett is primarily a painter and mural artist based in Adelaide, South Australia. Thomas has exhibited in solo shows “Beneath the Skin”, “Dark Light” and “From Within” with works developed through studio practice and artist residency programs such as the SALA Country Health SA/University of South Australia Glenside Mental Health residency. Thomas has also assisted established Australian artist Ben Quilty with two major large scale interior aerosol murals in both the Art Gallery of South Australia and Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. Thomas is the Tarnanthi Educational Officer at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
His practice has a strong figurative and anatomical focus and blends traditional tonal realism painting techniques with dynamic street art style.
Image credit: Thomas Readett in front of ‘Plato’ mural at Praxis ARTSPACE Studios, courtesy Angela Skujins
