Rob Ayling writes: "Thom the World poet, is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Tom's poetry tapes and guest appearences with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth, Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied with in seconds!!!Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not? why not indeed!!"
ROBERT HUGHES-how many lives ?
THE FATAL SHORE -with its truth of Australian origins,created(for us) a reliable historian
THE SHOCK OF THE NEW -an art critic of depth and quality
THINGS I DIDN'T KNOW-an honest memoir
ROME-a travel diary with archaeological dimensions
and he painted,wrote poetry and cartooned for THE OBSERVER
Yet was he known world wide for his BBC/PBS documentaries
as much as for his flaming /scathing opinions on art/people/his homeland
His was a brave voice in conservative early 60s Australia-
so much so he lived in Italy,then England,finally New York
linking to an Oz expatriate culture that sustained ,supported and invigorated him
His passions for the art of Lucian Freud/Goya were balanced by his disdain for Warhol/Koons
His energetic emotionalisms colored his image as Modern Renaissance man-
his topics ranging from fishing to Barcelona to the history of American art.
His fame both wide and deep-his judgements sharp and clear
His life after 1999's car smash led to coma,wheelchair,cane
His fire diminished ,his anger sustained by bitterness
His eyes saw art as more than message,style,factory framed and sold
He looked to purpose,vision,reason and skill
He may be gone-we will remember his bright will.
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