Billie Justice Thomson in her studio. All photography by Ben Thomson for The Creators Project
Melbourne-based artist Billie Justice Thomson has a large signed poster of former footballer Wayne Carey in her North Fitzroy studio. It’s somewhat at odds with the rest of the decor, which is kitsch and colourful and decidedly non-AFL themed.“My eccentric-nightclub-owner friend Nick gave it to me a few weeks ago,” says Thomson by way of explanation. “I used to hate footy but then I realised I was spending more energy hating it than I would if I just drank a couple beers and tried to enjoy it. Go Roos!”
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Originally from Adelaide, the artist moved to Melbourne six years ago. So perhaps it’s about time she started embracing local sporting heroes. She’s also been developing her art practice, which centres on depictions of iconic comfort foods—roast chicken, pickles, fairy bread, mortadella salami—painted on glass surfaces or slabs of perspex.“I have tried to move on from food but I keep getting sucked back into it,” Thomson says.“I think I keep going back to food for two reasons: firstly because I’m a big fatty who loves eating—kidding!— and secondly because it’s kind of nostalgic to me. The imagery is associated with that feeling of being full and loved and happy.”
The thirty-year-old, who completed “90% of a fine art degree at the South Australian School of Art and then dropped out in a hissy fit”, describes her painting style as “wonky and relaxed”. She became a painter because it seemed like the natural option. “It was a matter of sticking to what you’re good at, and also the idea of having a flexible timetable and freedom.”Thomson’s influences include Wayne Thiebaud, Bridget Riley, Yayoi Kasama and Jeff Koons. At the moment she’s “really into African wax fabrics and weird 90s cookbooks.” Her love of flat, rich colour means she prefers to paint on big broad surfaces—you can traipse around Melbourne and see her work on all manner of shop windows and interior walls.
She cites being on the line up of this year’s First Coat mural festival in Toowoomba as a career highlight. “So many legends making great work, supporting each other and drinking beers together. Maybe it’s because artists often work on their own and we all got to hang out and share ideas—like school camp but with no teachers, just ratbags.”
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