Tompkins was born in Leighton Buzzard, England in 1971. She graduated from Glasgow School of Art with a BA (Hons) Painting in 1994. Her artistic practice incorporates text, sound, installation and live performance. Language and words are central in her work, often rhythmical, interrupted and repeated, whether it is spoken, sung or written. She was the vocalist for the now defunct indie rock band Life Without Buildings.
Since 1997 she has worked collaboratively with the collective “Elizabeth Go”, with fellow artists Victoria Morton, Sarah Tripp, Hayley Tompkins and Cathy Wilkes.
Tompkins is represented by The Modern Institute in Glasgow, and has been involved in exhibitions and performances worldwide including solo exhibitions at The Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow at Glasgow International; The Modern Institute, Glasgow; Inverleith House, Edinburgh; Spike Island, Bristol; and Contemporary Art Museum, St. Louis.
