Forest

When painting Forest, Özlem Thompson imagines stepping into a forest where every leaf, flower, and creature brims with life and joy. Each stroke on the glasses captures the vivid energy of this magical place: the trees glow with different greens, the flowers dance in a symphony of fiery reds, blues, and yellows, and the sky sparkles in a swirl of purples and gold. Her goal is simple: to bring that same enchantment and joy into the world through colour. These glasses are not just objects; they are windows into a world where everything is alive and vibrant, where magic exists in every shade. Through Forest, Özlem hopes to infuse a little more wonder and happiness into the everyday.

Özlem Sorlu Thompson is a London-based artist originally from Istanbul, whose vibrant, dreamlike paintings draw on the cultural richness of the Mediterranean. Since relocating to London in 2015, she has developed a distinctive visual language that blends scientific curiosity with poetic storytelling. Her work is known for its joyful use of colour, dynamic compositions, and emotional resonance, inspired by sources as varied as the ancient ruins of Ephesus, classic cinema, literature, and the textures of daily life.

With a background in Biology and Botany, Özlem brings a unique lens to her art. Natural forms—rolling hills, branching trees, rhythmic patterns—often echo cellular structures or botanical diagrams, subtly grounding her imaginative worlds in the quiet logic of nature. Her canvases are lively and vibrant, revealing both the beauty and subtle patterns found in nature.
Working from a studio in Belsize Park, once home to Mondrian and Nicholson, Özlem's work has been exhibited internationally and recognized with several awards. She also creates public artworks supporting causes she cares about, including Elephant Family, a charity focused on protecting endangered Asian elephants.
Her art invites viewers into a world where wonder, empathy, and curiosity converge.