(1970 - )
Leslie Thompson (b. 1970) is a Manchester-based visual artist. His work, produced in collaboration with Venture Arts Studios (an art studio that works with learning disabled and neurodivergent artists) draws on his own memories as well as popular cultural references from the 1970s and 1980s to produce vibrant drawings, most often in ink but also on textile, in ceramic and in paint. While some of Thompson’s drawings allude to his upbringing in Manchester’s Moss Side area, others depict a rich array of flora and fauna or focus on the details of architectural assemblages. Often commissioned to produce live drawings, Thompson has gained a reputation as one of Britain’s most dynamic mural artists. He was commissioned to paint murals in the head offices of Sheila Bird Group (2017) and LADbible (2018) in Manchester; and specialises in capturing events through live drawing, working with DadaFest, Creative Minds North, Hubbub Theatre and Venture Arts. His work has been exhibited widely across the UK, including exhibitions at The Lowry, Salford (2023), Paper Gallery, Manchester (2022) and Project Ability, Glasgow (2017) and, in 2019, his work was exhibited in Tokyo. Thompson’s work is held in private and public collections across the UK.
