Thomas Deaton b. 1988, Lafayette, LA; lives in New Orleans, LA

Thomas Deaton is a Louisiana native with a background in printmaking and drawing. In his most recent works, he explores hidden stories of beauty set against the backdrop of forgotten neighborhoods. He draws inspiration from his personal memories, history, and life in New Orleans, and constructs a mesmerizing perspective of life in the southern coastal urban landscape. In his narrative cityscapes, Deaton captures snapshots of neighborhoods on the brink of decay, contrasted by vivid sunsets and lush vegetation. These areas, perpetually submerged in a metaphorical flood, symbolize the overlooked and neglected aspects of urban life.

Deaton earned a BFA from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2011, and an MA and MFA at the University of Iowa in 2014 and 2015 respectively. His work has garnered recognition, including notable achievements such as the second-place award at the Louisiana Contemporary 2019 exhibition in New Orleans and a feature in New American Paintings, South Issue in 2020. He has exhibited locally at Lemieux Galleries, Good Children Gallery, The Building, Old No. 77 Hotel, and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans, LA.