ART AS A VOICE: EXPLORING IDENTITY, RESILIENCE AND CREATIVE AMBITION IN THE WORK OF GAVIN THACKRAY-JONES
ABSTRACT
This thesis examines the artistic practice of Gavin Thackray-Jones, whose work spans painting, digital art, animation and videography. Through an expressionistic approach informed by artists including Georg Baselitz, Frida Kahlo and Chaim Soutine, Thackray-Jones articulates an identity often overlooked in the context of his Cerebral Palsy. His practice integrates personal narratives—including the loss of his father at age seven—with themes of travel, popular culture and everyday objects, while his use of colour and dynamic mark-making conveys emotional energy and personality. The study also explores how he adapts his working methods, leverages digital platforms like TikTok to share his process, and pursues ambitions of national and international exhibition, as well as establishing galleries to support emerging artists. Thackray-Jones’ practice demonstrates that physical challenges do not restrict creative achievement or professional ambition in contemporary art.
INTRODUCTION
Gavin Thackray-Jones’ artistic practice is rooted in the conviction that art can serve as an alternative language to communicate identity, experience and imagination. While living with Cerebral Palsy, which affects dexterity, he has developed independent working methods and a multidisciplinary practice that includes oil painting, digital drawing, animation and videography. This thesis analyses how his work draws on art historical references to shape an expressionistic style, how personal memory informs his compositions, and how he navigates and transcends perceived barriers to pursue his creative and professional goals. It argues that his practice not only articulates his own identity but also contributes to broader conversations about disability, creativity and accessibility in the contemporary art world.
1. ARTISTIC STYLE AND ART HISTORICAL INFLUENCES
Thackray-Jones employs an expressionistic approach that prioritises emotional communication over literal representation. His work references key 20th-century artists:
• Georg Baselitz: Evident in the raw, physical application of paint to canvas, including techniques of removing and manipulating oil paint to create texture.
• Frida Kahlo: Reflected in compositions that draw on themes of dreams and autobiography, with pensive facial portraits that situate the artist within his own narrative.
• Chaim Soutine: Seen in distorted facial forms that convey psychological depth and emotional intensity.
His use of colour is central to his practice, with vibrant palettes that symbolise personality and create energetic, chaotic emotional textures. Lines are expressive and vigorous, contributing to the dynamic quality of his compositions.
2. PERSONAL NARRATIVES AND SUBJECT MATTER
The content of Thackray-Jones’ work is deeply autobiographical. A defining personal reference is the suicide of his father when he was seven years old; he revisits nostalgic memories through compositions depicting shared experiences like birthday parties, cricket matches, fishing trips and visits to theme parks.
Other subject matter includes commercial aviation, vehicles, faces, shoes and everyday objects—elements that connect to themes of travel, popular culture and the material world. Aviation, in particular, symbolises an "alternative journey through a puzzled mind," while his exploration of 1970s and 1980s audio adds a layer of nostalgic "magic" to his videography work, which creates immersive, fantastical environments.
Gavin employs Adobe Fresco, Grok, and After Effects to create animations and digital illustrations that embody his passion for the commercial platform. The compositions draw inspiration from the renowned Pop Art artist Andy Warhol, celebrated for his iconic Campbell’s Soup Cans and Marilyn Monroe images printed on glossy silk-screens. Warhol famously asserted that fame is ephemeral, with individuals experiencing a brief period of notoriety before succumbing to obscurity.
3. ADAPTATION, ACCESSIBILITY AND DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT
Despite dexterity challenges associated with Cerebral Palsy, Thackray-Jones has developed a tailored working environment in his living room, with brushes and materials arranged for easy access. He works independently from the conception to completion of each piece, maintaining a positive strategy to achieve his creative vision.
He uses TikTok to broadcast live demonstrations of his process, allowing audiences to witness both the challenges he faces and his determination to bring his imagination to life. This digital engagement helps demystify his practice and connects him to broader communities, challenging preconceptions about what artists with disabilities can achieve—including surpassing expectations his family and friends held during his childhood.
4. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND AMBITIONS
Thackray-Jones holds a BA (Hons) and MA in Fine Art, with a track record of solo exhibitions and media coverage in newspapers and radio during his student years. His ambitions extend to national and international exhibition, as well as establishing his own galleries in London and other global cities. These spaces would showcase his work while promoting emerging artists, enriching his brand identity and contributing to the art community.
Recognising that exhibition development requires more than technical installation, he identifies the need for grants and sponsorships to fund venues and advertising. His practice demonstrates that Cerebral Palsy does not restrict the ability to pursue large-scale professional goals, positioning him as an advocate for greater inclusion in the contemporary art scene.
CONCLUSION
Gavin Thackray-Jones’ artistic practice is a powerful testament to the role of art in articulating identity, processing personal experience and challenging societal perceptions. Through a richly referenced expressionistic style, he weaves together autobiography, art history and popular culture to create work that speaks through colour, shape and texture. His adaptive working methods, digital engagement and ambitious professional goals highlight that physical conditions do not define creative potential. As he continues to create and write about his work, Thackray-Jones contributes to expanding the boundaries of contemporary art and advocating for greater accessibility and representation within the field.
BY GAVIN THACKRAY-JONES BA (HONS) MA
JANUARY 2026