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