In the vibrant world of contemporary art, few stories are as heartwarming as that of Thom Roberts, an artist whose unique vision transforms ordinary objects and people into extraordinary works of art. Roberts, who has intellectual disabilities, creates paintings that reflect his distinctive perspective on the world around him.

"This is a painting of a super can. I do this in Thom's way, instead of doing a nose, I do a hand nose or foot nose," Roberts explains while showcasing his artwork. His unconventional approach to portraiture has earned him recognition in Australia's most prestigious art competitions.

Gabrielle Mordy, who works at Studio A, describes Roberts as "a man of many interests" who is "very curious about the world." Studio A is an organization that provides professional development for artists with intellectual disabilities, working to establish the right support systems so that talented artists like Roberts can succeed in the mainstream contemporary art world.

Roberts' artistic style is immediately recognizable. He paints people as trains and towers, showing his fascination with infrastructure by personifying it in his work. "This train is called Freddy and they got phased out by the way," he says, pointing to one of his creations. His paintings consistently feature recurring motifs including multiple eyes and piano keys for teeth, creating a surreal yet playful aesthetic.

The artist's talent has not gone unnoticed in the art world. Roberts has been a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize four times, a remarkable achievement that speaks to the quality and appeal of his work. At his gallery exhibitions, he proudly welcomes visitors: "I want to thank everybody for coming tonight to see my Thom Roberts in my big gallery. Kermit the frog is just over here. Everyone's here. Sky Fox, Jumbo Junior."

One of Roberts' most endearing quirks is his habit of renaming people he meets. "I name you Steam. Hi Kayla," he says to someone whose real name is Katerina. "This is Kylie Panther," he introduces another person. Among all these creative names, one stood out to those who knew him: Mrs. Staveley.

"Every now and then, he'll meet a lady and he'll call her Mrs. Staveley. And in amongst all these other names, I've always found this a particularly intriguing name," Mordy observes. When asked about his artistic choices or the significance of certain names, Roberts typically responds with his characteristic phrase: "Oh, I don't know. I do it Thom's way."

The mystery of Mrs. Staveley was solved when an unexpected visitor arrived at Studio A. "I'm Mrs. Staveley and I was Thom's teacher many years ago. In fact, 40 years ago," announced Judith Staveley, now in her 90s.

The reunion was emotional for both teacher and former student. "Ah, there's me. I feel shocked. She was my primary school teacher back in 1983. She used to have jet black hair. Now it's more like this color and she's in her 90s," Roberts recalls.

Staveley had learned about her former student's artistic success through another parent. "I saw one of the mothers of one of the children who'd been at school, and they said I believe Thom's doing a lot of beautiful artwork and he greeted me as a long-lost friend. For me, it was extremely emotional. I loved that little boy," she explains.

Looking at old school photos together, the pair reminisced about their time at Chromehurst School in Lindfield. "Who is the boy at the end with his head back there?" Staveley asks. "Thom!" he responds enthusiastically. "They were fun days, Thom weren't they?" "Yes!" he confirms.

Inspired by this reunion, Roberts made a significant artistic decision. He asked if he could paint Staveley for the Sulman Prize, another major art competition. "Thom knows that the Sulman Prize is a big deal. So I think in the language of Thom he's saying, you are a big deal to me," Mordy interprets.

Staveley agreed to pose for the portrait. "He sketched me that afternoon and took a couple of photographs," she recalls. Everyone expected Roberts to create a traditional portrait featuring his signature style elements – piano teeth, four eyes, and a foot for a nose. However, true to form, Roberts had other plans.

"I named her Mrs. Picture Book," Roberts reveals. Instead of a conventional portrait, he chose to represent his beloved teacher as an actual picture book. Additionally, he reimagined her as a 92-year-old version of Goldilocks, combining his teacher's identity with the classic fairy tale character.

The unconventional portrait was accepted as a finalist in the Sulman Prize, marking another significant achievement in Roberts' career. When Staveley saw the finished work, her reaction was one of pure joy and recognition.

"Oh look, look, look, look. Oh, I look Thom, I love it. I just love it. Here I am with piano teeth and several eyes and a nose that has a hand at the end of it. But it's me. He's captured me," she says with obvious delight. "It's wonderful. It's wonderful. I'm so proud of you, I really am. It's wonderful. It's wonderful. And all the paintings you do of people is wonderful."

When asked what he liked best about school, Roberts' answer was simple and touching: "You." The sentiment clearly moved his former teacher, who responded with gratitude for the kind words.

Mordy reflects on the significance of their relationship: "Mrs. Staveley made Thom feel important, Mrs. Staveley made Thom feel loved at school and he has been remembering her ever since."

As they spent time together, the effects of four decades became apparent. "Poor old lady has to go slowly," Staveley says of herself. "You used to walk faster," Roberts observes with his characteristic directness. "I used to walk fast," she acknowledges.

During their conversation, Roberts shared his future plans with typical candor: "He tells me he's going to go on painting till he's an old man and then as an aside, he said you'll be dead but I'll go on painting and I think, well, you're absolutely right," Staveley recounts with humor and acceptance.

Staveley is deeply impressed by Roberts' artistic journey and his impact on others. "Thom has an ability to process things so wonderfully and if you go to his exhibition and you don't come out feeling joyful and happy, there's something wrong with you," she observes.

Expressing her gratitude for being immortalized in his unique artistic style, Staveley thanked Roberts for the portrait. His response was characteristically modest: "No problem."

Thom Roberts' story demonstrates the power of art to preserve memory, express love, and bring people together across decades. His distinctive artistic vision, supported by organizations like Studio A, has not only earned him recognition in major art competitions but has also allowed him to honor the people who have meant the most to him throughout his life.

The reunion between Roberts and Staveley, facilitated through his art, represents more than just a nostalgic meeting between teacher and student. It illustrates how meaningful relationships from childhood can continue to influence and inspire us throughout our lives, and how art can serve as a bridge connecting past and present in the most beautiful and unexpected ways.