African influences within her work developed shortly after Thurman graduated from Central Saint Martins in 1983.

An UK -Egypt project involved travel through Egypt and an exhibition at the Egyptian Embassy London, supported by a Channel 4 documentary. Commissions and collaboration with Paul Smith followed.

Thurman produced collections under her own label whilst acting as Design Editor for IPC Magazines. She worked and travelled extensively until 2003, within her roles as a stylist and designer, offering the opportunity to deploy her visual skills and diverse creativity within context.

Thurman travelled through Madagascar, East Africa and Sumatra, retracing the migration routes of the Malagasy people. This experience of integration and visual recording developed her skills of descriptive narrative, while African experiences continue to fuel and have evolved as a vital tool for self-expression.

She has exhibited in mixed shows within the UK since 2008, Nairobi 2018  was her first international, solo exhibition.

Over the last 20 years Thurman has been featured by BBC1, Channel 4, Radio London and the Evening Standard.

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Born 1961

Education:

1980 – 83 Central Saint Martin’s. University of the Arts London.  Textiles/Fashion Print

1979 – 80 Eastbourne College of Art – Foundation

Exhibitions

2019  Brinkinalt (group)

2019  Artshouse.co.uk  AAF Battersea

2018  AOAP (Hepatitus Trust) London (group)

2018  Artshouse.co.uk  AAF Battersea, AAF  Hampstead

2018  Ty Pawb Wrexham (group)

2018   S.O.S. Southwell Nottingham (joint)

2018   One-off Gallery, Nairobi, Kenya (solo) 

2017   Swedish Contemporary Art Stockholm (group) 

2017   Five-Ways Welsh Contemporary, Monmouth (group) 

2016   Edinburgh Contemporary Art/Art Dog London (group) 

2016   Manchester Contemporary/Art Dog London(group) 

2016   Five-Ways Welsh Contemporary, Monmouth (group) 

2016   S.O.S. Southwell Nottingham (joint)

2015   Maestro Arts London (group) 

2015   A & D Gallery London (joint) 

2015   SAADA Shropshire (group) 

2014   Oerley Hall Project Shropshire (group) 

2014   S.O.S. Southwell Nottingham (joint)

2013   Fine Art Society London (group) 

2012   S.O.S. Southwell Nottingham (joint) 

2012   SAADA Shropshire (group) 

2011   Moreton Hall Shropshire (joint)

2010   The Collective London (solo)

2010   S.O.S. Southwell Nottingham (joint)

2009   Moreton Hall, Shropshire (group)

2009   The Hollins, Merrington, Shropshire (solo)

2008   Moreton Hall Shropshire (group)

Early exhibitions and projects

1986   Arts Project, Edinburgh (joint)

1985   Anglo-Egyptian Arts Project, Egyptian Embassy London 

1985   Channel 4 London (group)

1984   British Telecom, Paragon London (solo)

1984   British Alcan, Paragon London (solo)

Awards: 

2018  AIDF Arts Council England/British Council (Nairobi and Kampala)

1985  Anglo Egyptian project, Arts Council England