“O, you painters who seek to know color, study carpets and therein you will find all knowledge.” —Paul Gauguin

Artist Statement

When Thomas Stocker looks at a century old woven rug from Turkey or Persia, he sees a painting. He translates the bold geometry and color from the language of the loom to the painter’s canvas. While many works are literal interpretations of existing carpets, other works synthesize traditional expressions with themes in contemporary culture and aesthetics.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Thomas Stocker received his BA from the University of Massachusetts and attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, where his teachers were Lux Feininger and Walter Pashko. Later, as an antique dealer, he developed his interest in Oriental rugs which quickly became the focus of his paintings. As an active member of the New England Rug Society, he finds inspiration through lectures and exhibitions of the finest carpets in the world. He has had numerous solo shows in galleries, colleges, and museums throughout New England and is represented in corporate and private collections throughout the United States. Thomas Stocker has been included in several exhibits at the Copley Society since becoming a member in 1999, including two solo exhibitions in November 2002 and May 2007.