The firm was established in the early 1980s in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, by Meg’s parents John and Sue Thompson and specialises in Modern British and Contemporary art with an emphasis on Scottish painting.
1 How did you get your start?
Since childhood I have been exposed to ‘life as a dealer’ watching my parents navigate the art world since they opened Thompson’s Galleries in c.1982.
For as long as I can remember I have visited artists’ studios, helped at openings and went full time in our London gallery about 10 years ago.
2 What challenges are facing the trade in the coming months?
For a lot of businesses, including ours, March 2020 felt terrifying. However, as the year went on, we saw a renewed energy in the art market. We had to find new ways to reach new clients and keep the attention of our established audience.
I hope this energy will continue but do feel this boom will level out as we all get more freedoms and budgets are once again re-issued to other areas of life.
3 Have you noticed any collecting trends in the past 6-12 months?
New buyers have come to the market. I think those who would normally spend money on holidays and evenings out have got a new budget for art. I don’t think these clients will disappear; once you started buying art it’s quite difficult to stop. I also have found over recent years we are having more direct access to the secondary market due to hiked costs of auction houses.
4 What is one great discovery you’ve made?
I had a baby in 2019 and thought it would be difficult to manage but, if anything, it’s made me more focused when I am at work.
5 One lesson you would like to pass on to others in the trade?
A bad week doesn’t mean a bad year. One day it can feel quite depressing, a few hours later its completely turned on its head!
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