Thomas Jackson is an Australian artist and illustrator who created Eastern Spinebills, the impressive artwork that now adorns the external staircase wall of Goulburn Base Hospital’s Bill Wass Courtyard.
We asked Thomas about his artwork, his inspiration and what it’s like to create such fine art while working from great heights!
Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
I moved from the UK to Sydney as a child and was instantly drawn to the natural wildlife of this new country. I was fascinated by the local animals and landscapes, and drew inspiration for my artwork from my new home.
I have been creating these large-scale public artworks and smaller scale gallery works for about 15 years now, and have been really fortunate that my work has taken me to a lot of amazing places such as USA, Iceland, Spain and the UK (just to name a few).
How did you come to be painting the stairwell at Goulburn Hospital?
I was contacted by Southern Tablelands Arts to be a part of their Paint The Town festival where they will be creating a number of great works. I was fortunate to be selected to create this artwork at Goulburn Base Hospital.
Could you describe your artwork at Goulburn Hospital?
My work at the Goulburn Hospital is titled Eastern Spinebills and depicts a pair of Eastern Spinebills feeding on grevillea.
I have spent a lot of time in Goulburn / Taralga as I have family in the area. One of my favourite birds to see when I am visiting is the eastern spinebill feeding in gardens. They are like a Hummingbird in the way they feed, and they are so tiny and beautiful.
I always get a buzz out of seeing them and wanted to show that by planting native flowering plants such as grevillea you could also have some in your garden as well.
What process did you use to create the artwork?
My works are created mostly with aerosol paints. There are no tricks used – it’s just drawing up the concept large scale and determining how and where it all fits best.
What is it like creating artwork large-scale murals? Is painting at height a little scary?
Painting large scale works and using a lift is great. You don’t really consider the height (and I’ve done some rather high ones) as you are mostly working to what’s right in front of you and not what’s below.
The only annoying part is when I need to come down to check my work. For example, I could be right at the top and think everything I’ve just painted is great, only to come to ground level and realise people can’t see any of it. Then I have to go back up and paint that section again but with less detail and more contrast. That can be annoying as it takes ages to come down and back up again.
What is it about Australian nature and animals that inspires your artwork?
Conservation and species awareness is a huge part of what drives me and my work. My hope is that by creating an eye-catching work at such a large scale I may start a conversation about the species I have depicted and encourage people to think more about our smaller inhabitants.
When I choose a subject matter that is at risk or threatened, my hope is to ‘reintroduce’ them back into the environment where the work is located. I hope to keep creating these types of works and keep this important message going for many years to come.
What has been the reaction from staff, patients, and visitors to your artwork?
The responses I have received have all been very positive. Several staff told me they enjoyed watching the process of me creating the work as they had a great view from their office.
- with thanks to Southern Tablelands Arts
About the Bill Wass Courtyard
The Bill Wass Courtyard at Goulburn Base Hospital is named in honour of a young man who in 1965 tragically lost his life while trying to save workmates working on a construction project at the hospital.
A local labourer, 38-year-old Bill Wass was working on the construction of the new wing at the hospital when a deep trench caved in trapping three men.
When he heard the cries of the trapped men, Bill rushed to help but became trapped himself when more of the trench collapsed and tons of rubble and earth fell on him.
While the other men were eventually rescued, Bill was unable to be saved.
His selfless act of bravery to save fellow workmates is honoured by the naming of the Bill Wass Courtyard.
Hilton William Wass was awarded a Cert. of Merit (Posthumous) by the Royal Humane Society of NSW and is buried in the Goulburn General Cemetery.