Özlem Thompson

"Reflections of Existence" - Theano

Born in Istanbul,
Lives and works at the London, UK

Born in Istanbul, Özlem has been passionate about painting since childhood, drawing inspiration from the rich artistic traditions of the Mediterranean. From the ancient ruins of Ephesus to the vibrant textiles of Eastern Anatolia, her work reflects the cultural diversity and heritage of her homeland.
After relocating to London in 2015, Özlem developed her unique artistic style, blending her academic background in Biology and Botany with her deep love for science and nature. Her paintings weave together natural scenes and imaginative worlds, often inspired by her daily experiences and her admiration for classic cinema and literature. Known for their vitality, joy, and creativity, her works offer a captivating exploration of life’s fantasy, beauty and complexity.
Her studio is in Belsize Park, London, and renowned artists Piet Mondrian and Ben Nicholson lived and worked in the same house. Since 2018, her artwork has been exhibited worldwide, including in New York, Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Canada and around the UK. Her published features include; Capsules Book’s Leaders in Contemporary Art (Australia), The Art Folio Annual: World’s Most Exciting Artists (USA), House and Garden Magazine, the Copelouzos Family Art Museum’s Covart Project (Greece), Moi Aussi in Barcelona and 365artplus Magazine (Japan).
Among her numerous accolades, Özlem has received ‘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 one of seven artists selected to create a giant fiberglass egg for the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth the Second, a project organized by the wildlife charity Elephant Family. She has done another public exhibition ‘The Big Egg Hunt’ for Elephant Family in 2025 Spring in London.
In addition to her studio practice, Özlem is committed to sustainability and philanthropy. She collaborates with eco-conscious fashion designers, such as Sittingsuits, and supports charitable organizations including Elephant Family, Combat Stress, Choose Love, Grief and Hope, Gravity Water, Draw For, Project Caritas and Trussell Trust.
Her work continues to attract collectors worldwide, with notable names including Anita Dobson and Brian May, Maria Friedman, and Andy Nyman. Özlem’s art, infused with her curiosity and passion, serves as a joyful testament to the world she explores through her creativity.
2026
Solo Exhibition, Burgh House Peggy Jay Gallery, Hampstead London (Forthcoming)
2023
Solo Exhibition, Hampstead School of Art, London
2020
Online Solo Show by Artists’ Circle Gallery, Texas, USA
2025
The Big Egg Hunt, Public 100 Egg Sculpture Exhibition by Elephant Family , London (March 24-April 27)
‘The Art of Love’ Group Show, Awita New York Studio, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (Feb 8-27)
Artist Collaboration with TwinManga Gallery, Australia
Collaboration with Choose Love Charity for Refugees
Collaboration with Grief and Hope Foundation for LA fires (Feb 6)
Collaboration with Rudo for Trussell Trust
2024
Cline House, Merry Mini Holiday Exhibit, Canada
ArtExpo Paris 2024
Secret Postcard Auction by Combat Stress, Bankside Gallery, London
Moi Aussi Venice Collaboration
Monumy Cannes Artist Auction
Royal Blue Gallery, Group Show ‘Shadows’ Sweden
HMVC Gallery New York, Group Show, ‘Girl Power’ & Times Square Digital Showcase
2023
Times Square Digital Showcase, HMVC ‘Vibrant Visions’, New York City
Boomer Art Prize 20 Finalists Group Exhibition, Boomer Gallery, London
HMVC Gallery New York, Vibrant Visions Online Group Show
Secret Postcard Auction by Combat Stress, Bankside Gallery, London
‘Arts To Hearts’ Project, Emerging Woman Artist Award Virtual Exhibition
Swiss Art Expo, Switzerland
2022
‘Eggs of an Era’ by Elephant Family, 7 artists public show for The Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, Sloane Square, Chelsea, London
Secret Postcard Auction by Combat Stress, Bankside Gallery, London
Art on a Postcard, The Bomb Factory, London
‘To Me, To You’, The Artist’s Workspace Gallery, London
London Coffee Festival, Coffee Art Project
Virtual Artists Summer Art Festival, London
2021
Into the Cosmere, group show, London
Swiss Art Expo, Switzerland
Secret Postcard Auction by Combat Stress, Bonhams Auction House
Keats House Museum, Hampstead Summer Art Fair, London
Copelouzos Family Art Museum, Covart Project, Greece
Virtual Artists Summer Art Festival, London
2020
Boomer Gallery, London; ‘Colour Boom’ Group Show
Madrid, ‘Summer Tracks’, Spain
Frikifish Barcelona, ‘The Confinement Chronical’, Spain
Talented Art Fair, London
Florence Contemporary Gallery ‘Far But Close’ Group Show, Italy
2019
‘The Night Collectors’, Group Exhibition, Bateman Street, London
Red Art Gallery, Group Exhibition, London
Creates Gallery, Emerging Artists Prize Group Exhibition, Wales
2018
Group Exhibition, Van Der Plas Gallery, Manhattan, NYC, ‘Call of Walls’
Group Exhibition, Vagabond London, ‘Prints and Patterns’
2025
‘Contemporary Artist of Year in London&East England’ , Prestige Awards Winner, August(Forthcoming)
‘Giant Eggs to be Hidden Around London for Hunt’ BBC London and BBC News
‘Moonflower:A Radiant Dreamscape by Özlem Thompson’ written by Caroline Margaret, Article, ShowcaseMyArt.com
Arte Comunica Magazine Feature, Italy
Curatory Magazine Vol II Interview & Feature
Big Egg Hunt Feature, Turks in Britain
Yerel Haber Gazetesi ‘Dev Yumurtalar Avlanmak icin Londra’da’ Turkiye
‘The Big Egg Hunt’ A Trail of Over 100 Giant Decorated Eggs Will Arrive in London’ Secret London
‘The Big Egg Hunt’ Public Exhibition Feature Londonist
JL Interviews, ‘Celebrating Nature and Culture Through Art: The Vision of Ozlem Sorlu Thompson’ Online and in Print Feature, Italy
2024 Uptime App Feature “Brushstrokes of Culture: The Artistic Odyssey of Ozlem Thompson”
365+ Tokyo Art Magazine, Online and in Print Feature, Japan
Artter Magazine, “12 Amazing Female Artists” Cover Feature, International Women’s Day Issue, New York
Neunion Online Feature, Germany
Purple Haze Magazine, Germany, Online feature
2023 Art -das Kunstmagazin, Germany an article by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich Online and in Print
Artgazm Magazine ‘Altering Realities on Canvas’ online article
2022 Medium ‘Science, Art and Becoming Great’ by William B, online feature and interview
365plus Magazine, Japan, Online and in Print Feature
The Art Newspaper, Eggs of an Era Exhibition, Online Feature
Daily Mail, Eggs of an Era Exhibition, Online and in Print Feature
Royal Central, London Online Feature
Elephant Family Online Feature
Hidden Talents Magazine Feature Online and In Print
Not Real Art Online Interview
2021 Trendy Art Ideas, Online Feature
Proyectotreze Spanish Art Magazine, online and in print feature
All She Makes Magazine Issue III, print and online feature
Ninu Nina Official Online Interview
Arterart Online Interview, New Zealand
Sustainable Art Haus, London, Interview
Ibuciao Chinese Art/Design Magazine
Saatchi Art Summer Feature & June Poster
Capsules Book, ‘Leaders in Contemporary Art’, Australia
Art Folio Annual Art Book ‘World’s Most Exciting Artists’, USA
The Best Adress, Artist interview
Ludwigrage Club Coronart Art Book
A Scientist’s Eye& An Artist’s Hand, Article by Gallerima Magazine, Sweden
2020
House and Garden Magazine, Featured Jan/Feb/Mar
Best in Show’ Award, ‘Art is Life’ art book publication Artists’ Circle Gallery, Texas, USA
Artist Feature, Artist Talk Magazine, UK
Florence Cont. Art Gallery, Art Catalogue 2020
The Flux Review, Q & A, UK
Visionary Artistry Magazine, ‘The Alien Approach’, UK
Draw for Official, Charity Project, UK
A Good Company, Sustainable Products Project, Canada
Penny Thoughts Magazine, UK
Art Hole Magazine, UK
Candy Floss Magazine, USA
Niji Magazine, UK
Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, USA
2019 Precious Magazine, ‘The Quarterly Art Exchanges Top 10 Awards’, HK
Art Olympia Japan, Online Feature
The Titty Magazine, UK