I am powerfully attracted to objects of adornment, particularly iconic objects taken out of context.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
Painting allows me to create immersive, ambiguous worlds filled with exaggerated figures and shifting perspectives. By engaging these influences, I aim to challenge dominant narratives in art history and open space for more expansive, curious ways of seeing and interpreting images.
Where do you find inspiration?My artistic practice draws deeply from non-Western cultures, where visual language resists rigid hierarchy and embraces multiplicity. Influences from low-brow comics, Mesoamerican sculpture, and other global traditions encourage dense compositions, symbolic distortion, and nonlinear storytelling. I am inspired by how these cultures prioritize pattern, myth, and the coexistence of beauty and chaos without needing Western realism as an anchor.
What would you do with $25,000?If you want to use $25,000 in a genuinely altruistic way in the arts, the strongest move is to redistribute opportunity rather than just produce more objects. One effective approach would be creating a small grant or micro-residency program for emerging artists—especially those working outside dominant Western frameworks. Even $1,000–$2,500 grants can be transformative, giving artists time, materials, or breathing room with a modest exhibition.
Vote for Thomas Whalen to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Register now for your opportunity to appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display your artwork at The Art of Elysium's Salon.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
