2018, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Another more recent photo of the floor five crew from a birthday party in BK
4
I'm so sorry to the Thomas family and to Kayla for your loss. This news is tragic and incomprehensible.
Andrew was a kind and caring friend I am lucky to have known since the BU college days. I first met him on floor five of Rich Hall. But I also got to know him as a fellow artist at CFA. We were a large and motley crew, but with his fun and goofy personality he fit right in. Even though I didn’t see him as often here in NYC, he always showed up for birthdays and get togethers. Every time we saw each other, we had a thought-provoking conversation as if no time has passed.
He was always dreaming up something or working in a sketchbook. Now anytime I pick up mine, I’ll be inspired the love, creativity and positive energy he always radiated.
2
I knew Andrew from BU, and he was a great friend and mentor. We both were in the very small sculpture program, and even though he was a few years ahead of me, we had a few classes that overlapped. As a young artist, I really struggled finding my voice and figuring out how to make good work. When we would work long hours in the studio together, he would constantly encourage me, and probably kept me from switching over to the dark side (painting) which I threatened to do often. It was always easy to believe his words of encouragement and I greatly admired the work he did for his senior thesis...I still remember his awesome larger-than-life monster sculptures and how inspiring they were to see as an underclassmen.
Later in life, I coincidentally wound up getting a job teaching sculpture at Medfield High School, and once again, Andrew was excited for me. When he heard I would be teaching at his former high school, he told me how much I would love it and how much he loved his art teachers when he was there, and he was right. It felt (and still feels) somewhat full circle, as Andrew was really one of the people who helped and encouraged me through the sculpture program at BU. I don't think it is hyperbolic to say that I wouldn't be the artist/art teacher I am today if I hadn't met Andrew.
I am devastated to hear of Andrew's passing and sending condolences to his loved ones.
2
2010, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
Andrew in a drawing class with Batu and Wendy
— with
Wendy Zhao
3
My time with Andrew was a series of short bursts as the fearless leader of Leilani’s many older brothers. He was remarkably sincere, kind and funny. He’s the kind of person you’d leave an interaction with thinking, I want to be his friend. I’m so sorry for the unimaginable pain your family is going through and I hope that knowing what an incredible impression Andrew left on so many in too short a time brings you some comfort.
2
A few months ago, Andrew and I were talking about music. He shared with me his preferred country artists he'll listen to. They happened to be Sturgill Simpson and Billy Strings. I spent the morning after hearing the news in my car listening to Sturgill Simpson songs and one was titled "Life ain't fair and the world is mean"... Honestly broke down right there because life really isn't fair and it really is a mean world losing someone as gifted as he was. Every single interaction/conversation with my cousin I valued, and I can't imagine not seeing him again, and just hearing that laugh of his.
2
To the Thomas family , so sorry for your loss.. 💔 no words 😢!! sending our deepest condolences to everyone…. Love Michael Crombie an Family 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
2
Andrew was a beautiful, creative, inspiring, and kind person. We were classmates in college and got to know each other more after moving to NY. When I first moved to NY I was full of confusion, fear and anxiety, and Andrew helped me so much just by being his fun wonderful self. He took the time to get to know me and he welcomed me into his life. He had a beautiful, artistic soul and he was open to inspiration from everywhere. He didn’t judge or avoid those who were different, and instead, saw the beauty and goodness in everyone. He was smart, funny and sweet, and deeply empathetic. He was there for me through some tough times, even when I couldn’t reciprocate the same kindness or appreciation. Though we’ve gone our separate ways since those early NY days, my time with Andrew taught me so much about life and changed me forever. I owe him a lot, and I wish I had expressed this gratitude more. Without him, I wouldn’t be who I am today as an artist and as a person. I’m so proud to see what he’s done in all his art practices, and to see how much he’s touched many other lives. I will always always miss him.
7
Andrew was a close friend of my family, having grown up in the same neighborhood. Being a little younger than I am, he was closer to my sister as kids, but our neighborhood was a close knit group. Andrew worked for me at a gym in Walpole after we both graduated college and we had many special heart to hearts. We talked about our art and our career aspirations. His were grand. We talked about spirituality and living intuitive and sensitive lives, and being very empathetic. I had to reprimand him often for sketching in his sketch journal at the front desk - though I fully understood the need to create. It was nice to think back and smile about that today. I feel blessed to have had this time with him and to have made our own memories. Andrew helped our family move out of our childhood home. He was generous, kind, authentic, and I know he will be deeply missed by many - by myself and my family for certain. Rest peacefully, my friend.
2
3
2010, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
Andrew and I took Figure Drawing class at Boston University taught by sculpture and drawing professor Batu Siharulidze. During and between drawing, Batu would tell the best stories. Here they are during one of the breaks between sessions with other CFA (College of Fine Arts) students/alum Tunç Türel, and Ben Loeliger.
— with
Ben Loeliger,
Batu Siharulidze
and
Tunç Türel
4
2017, The Bean, Chicago, IL, USA
Andrew was in the Midwest for a convention and he made the time to meet me. After dinner, drinks, serendipitous karaoke, he wanted to see 'The Bean' (AKA 'Cloud Gate' by artist Anish Kapoor). Millennium Park was already closed so we took a photograph from this vantage point.
— with
Sue Kwong
4
2017, Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA
After dinner, we stumbled upon karaoke happening in the lobby of the Chicago Athletic Association where they host events and art installations. Andrew and I sang 'Without Me' by Eminem, and 'Complicated' by Avril Lavigne. I recognized the background and influence from punk music in Andrew's singing style. My people.
— with
Sue Kwong
2
Andrew and I both moved to NYC from MA at the same time, although I hadn't met him before living in Brooklyn, we fell into a similar group of filmmakers and artist friends stemming from our home state. I remember having a lot of trouble transitioning into NYC life in the beginning, I was completely overwhelmed by this city, but it was Andrew and this group of friends who helped ease my struggle, providing friendship and guidance where I can truly say that my life now wouldn't have been the same without Andrew and how much he's helped and supported me over the years. Watching Andrew blossom into the artist that he's become, from his roots of sculpting to his transition into creating video games and community projects, has been awe inspiring. Never has there been a harder worker, someone who puts his entire soul and love into his craft. He's changed many lives, mine included. I'm so proud of everything that he's accomplished with his life, and I'm glad I got to know someone so genuine and amazing during my time here. He will be greatly missed.
2
2017, Turnmill Bar, East 27th Street, New York, NY, USA
Andrew and I caught up when I visited NYC for a winter trip from Chicago.
— with
Sue Kwong
3
2015, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, East 91st Street, New York, NY, USA
Andrew, Wendy Zhao, Lisa Terrat, John Prata and I enjoyed visiting the Cooper Hewitt, a design museum. It was my birthday trip to NYC. We thought the Tonometer (https://collection.cooperhewi…) on display looked like a bunch of the letter U, so Andrew posed as uppercase 'S', and Wendy posed as the lowercase 'e' for me.
— with
Wendy Zhao
3
2012, MoMA PS1, Queens, NY, USA
One of my first trips (from Boston) to NYC for the Book Fair hosted by Printed Matter Inc. I was so happy to see Andrew join me at the event.
3
Share with others
