Thomas had always been fascinated by fire as having the bi-polaric  qualities of creation

and destruction. His exploration of this quality in the last two and half years of his life led to his being

prosecuted and undertaking Community Service. These pictures are ones that I found hidden in

his collection. I had not realised that he had photographed what he called ‘CONFLAGRATION 4’.

(the burning down of a neighbours shed- as seen above).

He told me that the transmogrification of wood to ashes via the alchemical nature of fire was a state

(symbolically) that he wished to achieve. I believe now that he has achieved this – literally.

My brother said you could measure an artwork’s importance by how much criticism it received. The

fact that his ‘Conflagrations’ led to police interest and involvement, justified their committing. I did my

best to steer him away from what I believed to be a warped and immoral rationalisation.

You decide whether I was right in trying to kerb this extreme creative impulse.