Ozlem Thompson
Born in Istanbul, Ozlem Sorlu Thompson has been passionate about painting since childhood, drawing inspiration from the artistic traditions and cultural diversity of the Mediterranean region. After relocating to London in 2015, she developed a distinctive style that blends her scientific background in Biology and Botany with her love for nature and visual storytelling.
Her studio is based in Belsize Park, London, in a house once home to artists Piet Mondrian and Ben Nicholson. Since 2018, Ozlem’s work has been exhibited internationally in New York, Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Canada, and across the United Kingdom. Her work has been featured in publications including Capsules Book’s Leaders in Contemporary Art, The Art Folio Annual, House and Garden Magazine, the Copelouzos Family Art Museum’s Covart Project, Moi Aussi in Barcelona, and 365artplus Magazine in Japan.
Her awards include Best in Show in Texas, an Honourable Mention in Tokyo, and a Top Ten award from Precious Magazine in Hong Kong. In 2022, she was selected to create a giant fiberglass egg for the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II as part of an Elephant Family charity project, and she contributed another egg for The Big Egg Hunt in London in spring 2025.
Ozlem is dedicated to sustainability and philanthropy, collaborating with eco-conscious designers and supporting charities such as Elephant Family, Combat Stress, Choose Love, Grief and Hope, Carers Wales, Gravity Water, Draw For, Project Caritas, and the Trussell Trust. Her collectors include Anita Dobson and Brian May, Maria Friedman, and Andy Nyman.
Artist Statement
My work grows from a lifelong fascination with nature and the emotional spaces that shape human experience. Growing up in Istanbul, I was surrounded by vivid colors, textures, and histories that continue to influence my artistic language. Since moving to London, my practice has evolved into a blend of imagination, science, and personal memory, guided by my academic background in Biology and Botany. I explore the balance between order and spontaneity in nature, transforming familiar plant forms and landscapes into more fluid, dreamlike worlds.
My paintings often begin with observational sketches that expand into expressive environments filled with movement and color. Classic cinema, literature, and moments from daily life inspire the narrative quality of my work, allowing each piece to hold emotional depth as well as playful energy. Curiosity and joy are central to my process, and I aim to create paintings that invite viewers to pause and reconnect with their sense of wonder.
Sustainability is an important part of my practice. I collaborate with environmentally responsible designers and support charities focused on wildlife, social care, and mental health. Through my work, I hope to encourage a feeling of connection to both nature and each other, highlighting the beauty and complexity of the world we share.
https://ozlemsorluthompson.com/
