Artist celebrates first solo exhibition

11:30am Sunday 11th May 2008

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AN EBBW Vale artist is celebrating his first solo exhibition on show in Gwent this month.

Jeremy Thomas, 31, has a show running throughout May at the Met in Abertillery showcasing a range of his work based on the surroundings where he grew up in Ebbw Vale.

Producing both oil paintings and colour work, Mr Thomas, of Eureka Place, bases his work on the landscapes surrounding him, incorporating both industrial decay and deprivation as well as the beauty of the surrounding valleys.

His family were heavily involved in the steelworks, and Mr Thomas worked in the industry as a summer job when he was younger: "It had a huge impact, still people are feeling the effects now. Deprivation is a huge thing in the valleys. I'm very lucky where I come from," he said.

He got into art as a child, which turned into a life-long passion and now teaches at Our Lady and St Michael's, Abergavenny.

Mr Thomas has an eclectic mix of influences, from LS Lowry to David McKean, a comic book artist an illustrator.

He is also currently working with Independent Ballet Wales on their performance of Under Milk Wood, by Dylan Thomas, where he is creating backdrops.

Mr Thomas said he was pleased he was able to stage his first solo show close to where he grew up: "It's quite nice to have it in the valleys, I think it means a lot more to the people in our area than it would to other people."

He added: "I really just like people to see and enjoy my work. The kind of joy I get far outweighs anything else."