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J. B. Thompson Art

American, 1932-1984

J.B. Thompson (1932 – 1984) began his career as an aspriring student of architecture. However, this endeavor soon gave way to a study of painting and sculpture. His mastery of the aforementioned three subjects was readily apparent in his early art. Later in life, he expanded into printmaking, which he synthesized with sculpture, creating sterling silver and copper collage prints, available only in limited edition and released in 1972. Throughout the 1970s, he continued to add various techniques and materials to his prints, including collograph, woodcut, lithograph, etching, carborundum surfaces and gold. The dramatic textural relief observable in his prints is a result of Thompson’s masterful manipulation of the carborundum process.

In terms of subject matter for the prints, he often used images which evoke the notion of a mental or physical voyage, generally with an overwhelming sense of movement. Others are based on metaphysical diagrams intended to represent various levels of the human psychic journey and the Earth’s physical cosmos. Thompson believed wholeheartedly in the one-to-one communication process that occured between viewer and artist and felt his audience would know a great deal about him if they grasped the meaning of his work.

Of his work it has been said that ‘the source of J.B. Thompson’s imagery was a direct, mystical experience of reality, which he did not try to define or control. He did not separate the creation of his art from the living of his life.’ Thompson rather successfully combined technical expertise with creative intuition. He died of cancer in 1984.

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Artist: J. B. Thompson
J.B. Thompson "Photon" Mixed Media Etching w/ Copper and Aquatint c.1970s
By J. B. Thompson
Located in San Francisco, CA
J.B. Thompson "Photon" Mixed Media Etching w/ Copper and Aquatint Limited Edition J.B. Thompson (American, 1932-1984) Fantastic pencil signed and numbered mixed media etching with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract J. B. Thompson Art

Materials

Copper

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J. B. Thompson art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic J. B. Thompson art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by J. B. Thompson in copper, metal, mixed media and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large J. B. Thompson art, so small editions measuring 39 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Ray Elman, Dara Mark, and Leonard Edmondson. J. B. Thompson art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,250 and tops out at $1,250, while the average work can sell for $1,250.

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