Martin Thompson was born in Wellington in 1956 and lived here many decades before moving to Dunedin. Thompson was well known in Wellington and could often be seen creating his intricate drawings in Cuba Street cafes, on the street or at Vincent’s Art Workshop.

Thompson began producing ink drawings on 1mm graph paper in 1980. He uses mathematical equations to create complex geometric patterns in a single-colour. The drawings are typically made in pairs – one work is the inverse pattern of the other.

Thompson came to international attention in 2005, when his work featured in exhibition, ‘Obsessive Drawing’ at the American Folk Art Museum. His drawings have been exhibited throughout New Zealand and internationally, including at City Gallery Wellington and the International Outsider Art Fair in New York

Thompson is represented by Brett McDowell Gallery in Dunedin.