O’CALLAGHANS Mills native Thomas Delohery is making waves in the art world in 2025, with a flying start to the year marked by two major art prize nominations.
Delohery’s work has been selected for two prestigious Australian art prizes: the Collie Art Prize in Western Australia and the Maldon Art Prize in Victoria.
The Collie Art Prize, one of Australia’s richest art awards, chose Delohery’s portrait of Australian performance artist Stelarc, who famously had an ear implanted into his arm as part of his art practice. In keeping with the theme of this year’s competition ‘identity’.
Delohery’s painting raises the question: does this transformation change Stelarc’s identity, or does it simply make him a “bit of a better listener”. The artwork was selected from a highly competitive field, marking a milestone in Delohery’s career.
The second major recognition came from the Maldon Art Prize in Victoria, where Thomas’ painting of renowned Australian actor Anthony La Paglia was chosen. La Paglia, widely known for his role in Without a Trace, was depicted in the piece with his head shaved for his role in the film Below, where he acted alongside Ryan Corr. Delohery’s personal connection with both Stelarc and La Paglia, having met them before creating their portraits, adds a layer of authenticity and depth to these works, elevating them beyond mere representations.
These accolades come on the heels of Delohery’s multifaceted career, which has been defined by both his evocative portraiture and his dedication to social causes. Originally from O’Callaghan’s Mills, Thomas moved to Australia in 2010, where he expanded his artistic practice and began working with Indigenous youth and incarcerated individuals. His experience working in these communities has greatly influenced his approach to both art and education, shaping his unique voice in the contemporary art world.
For Thomas, portraiture goes beyond capturing a likeness, it’s about telling a deeper story. His work is deeply personal, preferring natural moments over posed ones to reveal the subject’s true essence. A prime example is his portrait of Australian actor Lachie Hume, where he invited the actor to wear his ‘lucky leather jacket,’ a symbolic item that adds personal meaning to the piece. Delohery’s commitment to exploring identity and transformation is a thread that runs through all of his works.
As he prepares for his first solo exhibition in Melbourne, which will focus on the poignant topic of child soldiers, inspired by his time working with youth groups and inmates. The exhibition promises to be a powerful exploration of a global issue, using symbolism such as blindfolds to represent the loss of innocence and the psychological toll of war on children
