Dr Paul Thomas, is the coordinator of the Master of Electronic Art and the Studio Electronic Arts (SEA) at Curtin University of Technology. In 2000 Paul instigated and was the founding Director of the Biennale of Electronic Arts Perth 2002, 2004. Paul has been working in the area of electronic arts since 1981 when he co-founded the group Media-Space, which was part of the first global link up with artists connected to ARTEX. In 1995 he founded the group Terminus= an online research group and in 2001 he developed the forums for electronic arts research (FEAR). Paul’s own recent practice led research the Midas project exhibited at Enter3 in Prague 2007 was in collaboration with the Nano Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology and SymbioticA at the University of Western Australia, where he is researching the transition phase between skin and gold.  Paul is currently working on a commissioned intelligent architecture public art work for the Curtin Mineral and Chemistry Research Precinct in collaboration with Chris Malcolm (John Curtin Gallery) and Mike Phillips (Director of IDat). http://www.i-500.org  Paul was on the Media Art Histories program committee for the re:place conference in Berlin 2007 and is now the co chair for the next conference, re:live in Melbourne 2009. Paul completed a PhD researching a reconfiguration of spatial attitudes and is a practicing electronic artist who’s research can be seen on his website ‘Visiblespace’.  http://www.visiblespace.com

Paul has been working towards developing sustainable research in the areas of convergence between science, industry and the arts in Western Australia. Some of these objectives he has managed to secure through the instigation of the Biennale of Electronic Arts Perth. Paul now believes he could use his knowledge and experience in exploring the intersection between art, science and culture to develop key research strategies.

• Curated BEAPworks exhibitions at the John Curtin Gallery 2003/5.

• Director of the largest Electronic arts event in the southern hemisphere 02, 04.

• Instigated and developed the Biennale of Electronic Arts Perth.

• Develop supporting strategies of the digital city.

Affiliations
Media-Space Perth Ltd

Project leader of a ALTC grant to create a national online database of the Media/electronic art Scoping Study to create an overview of the current and pioneering educators, artists and scientists who have brought about the dissolution of boundaries that have traditionally existed between the artistic and technological disciplines.

Co-Chair of the Third international Media Art History conference Re:live Melbourne 09

Curtin Mineral and Chemistry Research Precinct Public art project. The art project will be integrated into the two new buildings that will form the Mineral and Chemistry Research and Education Precinct. Paul Thomas, Mike Philips and Christopher Malcolm have been commissioned to develop the public art work in collaboration with Woods Bagot Architects.

Nanotechnology research project - Nanoessence, 

Paul Thomas in collaboration with Kevin Raxworthy

The Nanoessence project aims to examine life at a sub cellular level, re-examining space and scale within the human context. A single HaCat skin cell is analysed with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) to explore comparisons between, life and death at a nano level. The humanistic discourse concerning life is now being challenged by nanotechnological research that brings into question the concepts of what constitutes living. The Nanoessence project research is based on data gathered as part of a residency at  SymbioticA, Centre of Excellence in Biological Arts,, University of Western Australia and the Nanochemistry Research Institute, (NRI) Curtin University of Technology.

The Midas project 2007 is a visual and sonic installation that amplifies certain aspects of experience at a nano level. The Midas project is analogous to the curse of the fabled Midas, King of Phrygia to whom Dionysus gave the power of turning all that he touched into gold. This gift of touch soon changed from the King’s pride in his ability, to a curse as even his food and drink transformed into gold. The metonymic work Midas is based on my research developed at SymbioticA and the Nano Research Institute at Curtin University of Technology.

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Books (Authored, Research)

• Thomas, P. 2009. Reconfiguring Space. Saarbrücken: VDM Verlag Dr. Muller Aktiengesellschaft & Co. KG.

Book Chapters (Authored, Research Quality)

• Thomas, P. 2008. Nano Vibrational Interfaces. In Interface Cultures - Artistic Aspects on Interaction, eds C. Sommerer, D. Gestrich, L. Mognnoneau, 81-91. Bielefeld, Germany: transcript Verlag.
• Thomas, P. 2008. Midas. In SK-INTERFACES: Exploding BOrders in Art, Science and Technology, 144-147. Liverpool, UK: Liverpool University Press.
• Thomas, P. 2004. Network Building in the Digital Age. In Innovation in Australian Arts, Media and Design: Fresh Challenges For, eds Rod Wissler, Brad Haseman, Sue-Anne Wallace, Michael Keane, 123-134. Queensland: Post Pressed Flaxton.

Refereed Articles (Scholarly Journals)

• Thomas, P. 2008. Nanoessence: God, the first nano assembler. Technoetic Arts: A Journal of Speculative Research 6(3): 217-231.

Fully written papers (Refereed Conference proceedings)

• Raxworthy, K, and Thomas, P. 2008. Nanoessence: Life and Death at a Nano Level. ACUADS 2008 Annual Conference: Sites of activity / On the edge, 01/10/2008. University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia: South Australia School of Art, University of South Australia.
• Thomas, P. 2007. Materiality and Immateriality. CADE 2007 Computers in Art and Design Education, 12/09/2007. Perth: Curtin Print and Design.
• Thomas, P. 2005. The Mirror as the Primal Space for new media. Altered States: Transformations of Perception, Place and Performance, 22/07/2005. Plymouth: University of Plymouth.
• Thomas, P. 2004. Art Network Discussion. Creative Connections Symposium @ BEAP2004, 01/09/2004. Western Australia: Arts Research Network: Creativity Knowledge Innovation.
• Thomas, P. 2004. the convergent Space-back to a Wearable Perception. thespacebetween textile_art_design_fashion, 01/04/2004. Western Australia: thespacebetween, Faculty of BEAD, Curtin U of T.

Minor Creative Works

• Thomas, P. 2007. Stillness: Arts, Science and Technology. Perth WA: Biennale of Electronic Arts Perth.
• Thomas, P. 2002. Director's Statement. Perth: John Curtin Gallery.

Group Exhibition of Creative Works

• Thomas, P. 2008. Midas - Documentary DVD Video. Kaliningrad, Russia: National Centre for Contemporary Arts, Kaliningrad.
• Thomas, P, and Raxworthy, K. 2007. Midas. Prague: Stone Bell House.
• Thomas, P. 2004. Cyberdeco: a screening adventure. Western Australia: Cyberdeco.
• Thomas, P. 2004. thespacbetween textile_art_design_fashion. Western Australia: thespacebetween.
• Thomas, P. 2003. Ambient Space. Western Australia: John Curtin Gallery.

Curating an Exhibition

• Thomas, P. 2006. BEAPWORKS. Perth: Biennale of Electronic Arts Perth.
• Thomas, P. 2005. BEAPworks. Western Australia: Biennale of Electronic Arts Perth.
• Thomas, P. 2004. Biennale of Electronic Arts Perth SameDifference. Perth: John Curtin Gallery.
• Thomas, P. 2002. Biennale of Electronic Arts Perth BEAP. Perth: John Curtin Gallery.