Thomas Maurer, a German born artist, worked as an events producer in Australia in 1991. The career as an events producer was fulfilling, and he felt content in his job. However, what he didn’t know was that in 2005, he was about to make a drastic career change as an artist and later sculptor. That year Maurer was unaware of the magic he would create using an angle grinder to polish aluminum.
The illusionary artist’s friend called him over to help him fix a truck, giving him the job of polishing aluminum with an angle grinder. Maurer was fascinated as he saw the patterns dance off the aluminum under the sun, creating an effect so different that it convinced him that it was time to begin his career as an illusionary artist.
Maurer didn’t waste a minute and quickly left his job to assume his new role as an artist. The first thing on his agenda was to move to Australia permanently, rent out a studio, and experiment creating different patterns.
Maurer kept at it for three years, creating patterns, overlapping them with different ones, and reversing it to see what it will look like. His efforts paid off and he realized that he was able to create optical illusions, but he refused to call himself an artist for the simple reason — drawing wasn’t his forte.
The Birth of a New Art Form — Illusionary Art
Maurer didn’t identify himself as an artist, but needed to give his art a name. He laid out his artwork in front of him and analyzed it to see what he should call this new art form. According to him, he created a two-dimensional illusion, which under the light looked three-dimensional.
While other illusions trick the eye, his illusion needed the assistance of a light source to appear three-dimensional. Without the light, his illusion would just be a drawing created on a two-dimensional surface. Therefore, he began calling his creation “Illusionary Art.”
Now, for the past ten years, Maurer has established his name as an Illusionary artist, creating landscapes and abstracts. He creates his pieces by using a 2mm grinder on a flat area of aluminum. His technique of creating never before scenes on aluminum has created quite a stir amongst the folks living “Down Under.”
You haven’t seen the wonders of Australia if you don’t visit his gallery because to whoever has seen his artwork has been left enthralled. With his new reputation as an illusionary artist, he sells his artwork to customers and to hotels around the globe.
You can look up his artwork on the internet, but it won’t do it any justice. In order to experience the beauty of his artwork, you have to see it in person.