Passages

Thomas Watkiss is a multi-disciplinary artist perhaps most known for his soundworks. The recordings are paired with his photography and prints -- giving the listener an intimate visual setting to the roaming ambient soundscapes.

Since 2007, Thomas has released five full-length records starting with the Ancestor 7”. The e.p. was realized while working in Boston after a period of expatriation and described by Doug Mousrock of Dusted Magazine as “clinical performance aligns with a sense of darkness and mystery”. Thomas' 2008 Ancestor - "Phase I: Silence" was met with critical acclaim and described as “Projecting an icy grandeur” by Steve Holtje for Dusty Wright’s Culture Catch and considered “rich in integrity” by Heathen Harvest.

Prior to working with sound, Thomas began his career through painting and participated in group shows at places such as Garfield Artworks (Pittsburgh) and Gallery XIV (Boston). He has recently returned to the medium with his first solo exhibition at Black Diamond Gallery in New York City, titled Ecosystems. 11 new paintings are paired with soundscapes that address bio-diversity and serve as a statement of objection and resilience to the current administration.

He completed residencies at Listhus, Olafsfjordur Iceland (2016), USF Verftet, Bergen Norway (2008) and Konstepidemin, Gothenburg Sweden (2003).

He has performed at spaces including Spectrum (Brooklyn), Magazin4 (Brussels), Fylkingen (Stockholm), Landmark (Bergen), Sound of Mu (Oslo), UT Connewitz (Leipzig), Spazio 210 (Torino), Rhiz (Vienna), Theater Kapellen (Berlin), Svensk Form and Crum Heaven Gallery (Stockholm).

He holds an MA from Konstfack University of Art and Design (Stockholm) and a dual BA from the University of Pittsburgh.

He lives and works in New York City.