Leslie Thornton’s work is whimsical, invigorating, compelling and light-hearted. With an abiding interest in geography and geopolitics, he looks at cities, landscapes, buildings and places uniquely. Leslie takes what may seem mundane subjects and honours them with a tinge of facetiousness.

In his fifty-year career, Leslie has had over forty solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows.

Leslie Thornton by accident or design has become the quintessential Castlemaine artist and chronicler of our world. This exhibition contains over 130 of his most compelling and whimsical works. This is Castlemaine Art Museum’s and Les Thornton’s First Blockbuster.

“Les takes an idea and runs with it – in all sorts of directions. He takes it to the extremes of possibility and logic and then takes it further.” Mark Anstey, Lot 19

“His work is unpretentious, humble, communal, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Like Les, humour is its greatest wisdom, asset and form of communion.” Candy Stevens

Sir Leslie Thornton RA (e) expelled
First Blockbuster
Castlemaine Art Museum
22 March until 27 July 2025
Opening
Sat 22 March at 2pm [All welcome]
Opening by Em. Pr. Chris McAuliffe
EMERITUS PROFESSOR,
ANU School of Art & Design
Free entry. Gallery Opening Hours: Thurs-Sat 11am–4pm, Sun 12pm–4pm.

Public Program as part of the Exhibition