Janet Elizabeth Thomas's sculpture Witness has been selected for exhibition in the Ku-ring-gai Sculpture Trail 2026 at the Wildflower Garden.

Witness explores the act of looking and being looked at. Emerging from a rough-hewn block, the face confronts the viewer with oversized eyes and an unwavering gaze. The work exists between the ancient and the contemporary, inviting multiple interpretations while maintaining an enigmatic presence.

The carved surface retains the visible marks of its making, celebrating the physical process of sculpting. Bold contrasts of black, white, yellow and red give the sculpture a vivid, almost theatrical character, drawing attention to the tension between simplicity of form and psychological complexity. Rather than depicting a specific individual, Witness reflects on observation itself and raises the question: who is witnessing whom?

Exhibited within the natural setting of the Wildflower Garden, Witness will enter into a unique dialogue with its surroundings. Changing light, weather and landscape become part of the viewing experience, offering visitors new perspectives on the work throughout the exhibition.

Selection for the Ku-ring-gai Sculpture Trail is an exciting opportunity to present Witness within one of Sydney's most engaging outdoor sculpture exhibitions, where contemporary art and the natural environment come together in conversation.

Thomas-Georgouras Studios is delighted to announce that Janet Elizabeth Thomas has been selected as a finalist in the 2026 Urunga Small Sculpture Prize with her work Cetus.

Cetus is an interpretation of the mythical sea creature that has inhabited human imagination since antiquity. The sculpture explores humanity's enduring fascination with and fear of the sea, drawing connections between mythological monsters and the great marine predators that have existed for millions of years before humans appeared.

The work was carved from remnant marble sourced from the studio of the late sculptor Nicholas Georgouras and finished with pigments bound in egg tempera. The use of this marble carries particular significance. Formed from ancient marine sediments transformed over geological time, the stone itself bears a deep connection to the ocean, becoming an integral part of the work's narrative.

Following the death of Nicholas Georgouras in 2020, Janet Thomas began creating a new body of sculpture from marble remaining in the studio, employing Georgouras's direct-carving technique while integrating elements of her painting practice through the use of colour and traditional tempera.

Through Cetus, Thomas seeks to evoke both menace and wonder, reflecting on the ancient origins of human fear and the enduring power of the natural world. The work explores themes of mythology, memory, evolution, and our continuing relationship with the mysteries of the sea.

Thomas-Georgouras Studios congratulates all finalists and looks forward to exhibiting Cetus as part of the Urunga Small Sculpture Prize exhibition.

Janet Elizabeth Thomas' sculpture Blue Minotaur has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious juried exhibition, Sculptures in the Garden 2026, to be held in Mudgee this October.

A striking interpretation of the mythological Minotaur, Blue Minotaur combines strength and vulnerability in a dynamic, crouching form. Rendered in luminous shades of blue and white, the sculpture explores themes of identity, transformation, and contemplation, inviting viewers to engage with a figure that is at once powerful and introspective.

Being chosen as a finalist in Sculptures in the Garden is a significant recognition of Janet Elizabeth Thomas's continuing contribution to contemporary sculpture. The exhibition brings together selected artists from across Australia and is renowned for showcasing outstanding sculptural works in a unique garden setting.

We are delighted to share this achievement and look forward to presenting Blue Minotaur to visitors and collectors at this year's exhibition.