Michelle Thompson

Michelle Thompson graduated from The Norwich School of Art with a First Class Degree in Illustration, then a Masters Degree from The Royal College of Art in 1996. Since graduating, she has been at the forefront of illustration working successfully in publishing, editorial and design.

Michelle’s work combines found materials (books, magazines, packaging, photographs, postcards and other printed ephemera) with painted, drawn and printed elements. Her work alludes to shared memory - cutting-up and re-assembling images from recent history, to reflect contemporary themes and popular culture.

She works using a combination of traditional collage techniques and digital technology. In her early commissions Michelle worked by faxing a pencil sketch to the client, then worked in collage and hand delivered the artwork, usually 10 minutes before the deadline.

Michelle’s illustrations have appeared internationally, most notably in collaboration with the influential British designer Vaughan Oliver. Michelle has also illustrated Cherie Blair's book cover, 'The Goldfish Bowl' and more recently 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks. She illustrates a regular column for The Globe and Mail in Toronto. Michelle has also illustrated this year’s Cheltenham Festivals posters.

As well as illustration, Michelle is represented by The Liberty Gallery who regularly show her collage work, at the London Art Fair and the Affordable Art Fairs in Battersea, Stockholm and Brussels.