Richard Hammill, Chief Operating Officer of Pontefract Racecourse said: “We are delighted to work alongside Great British Racing and welcome James Owen Thomas and his family back to Pontefract to unveil his incredible piece of artwork for the occasion of King Charles III’s Coronation.”

Hammill continued: “Pontefract Racecourse were honoured to work with James on a sustainability campaign in 2019 and we have the fantastic art that he created for us on display at every race meeting. We are thrilled that James chose Pontefract as the venue to launch his new piece and we continue to follow his blossoming career with a huge amount of pride and interest.”

Thomas was diagnosed with autism at the age of three years old and pictures, colours and art have always played an important part in his life as a means of communication and expression. His work can be found on his website.

On making the art Thomas said: “It’s such an honour and a privilege to be chosen to create a new piece of art to celebrate the Coronation.  I am pleased to be using recycled materials for this artwork, which is also in keeping with the King’s great interest in protecting the environment.”

Thomas continued: “I enjoyed colour sorting all the items sent to me by Great British Racing, and as I would be working largely in purple, red and gold, I knew exactly which materials to work from.  Amongst other things, I used torn pieces from race day magazines, tickets, and even old racing silks, which are ideal to cut up.  Large pieces of text cut from old leaflets form an abstract background. One very important feature that was added to the collage is a sparkling Coronation Crown.”