Michael Thompson Photographer Art
American
Michael Thompson is a well-known Chicago artist whose work has been featured both locally and internationally. From elaborate sculptures made of found objects to his well-known “kite” series, Thompson combines traditional objects, large-scale collage and the aesthetic of the abstract. His unique kites combine painting, collage, and sculpture and crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and layers of found ephemera – including kimono silk, obis, paintings, scrolls, drawings, and book pages collected on his travels. Thompson has earned an international reputation for his kite works, an engrossing project initiated by the artist more than a decade ago.to
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Artist: Michael Thompson Photographer
"Study in Red, " Mixed Media on Canvas
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique compositions of abstract painted elements and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments of fabric, scrolls, drawings, and books collected during his travels. In a departure from his split bamboo kite series, this work on stretched canvas entitled "Study in Red" layers textured paper and silken fragments within a rosy...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Wood, Rice Paper, Canvas, Silk, Acrylic
"Red Meander, " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera - including fragment...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Wood, Paper
"Caress of Water, " Mixed Media Sculpture
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Stone
"Pompeii, " Mixed Media Sculpture
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his travels. In his ongoing series of memory jugs, Thompson adorns stoneware vessels with a kaleidoscope of ceramic shards, found objects, and pocket-sized trinkets he collected over the course of his life.
Also known as forget-me-not jugs or spirit jars, memory jugs are African American folk art objects that honor a loved one who has recently passed. Small tokens and mementos of the deceased are gathered and affixed to the exterior of a jug or vase, an abundance of memories that celebrates a life lived to the fullest.
Michael Thompson applies this tradition to his own practice, creating tactile assemblages of this and that. Formed in the manner of collage, each jug honors the lost memories of generations past and his own memories of personally discovering each item. With varied sources for materials including Kyoto, Turkey, and Mexico, a great number of the found shards are 18th and 19th century ceramics...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Stone
"Twilight (Just Before Dawn), " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Wood
"Boro, " Mixed-Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments of fabric, scrolls, drawings, and books collected during his travels.
This kite entitled "Boro" is patterned with Japanese indigo-dyed fabric scraps, sewn together to form a patchwork of contrasting patterns and shades of blue. The kite's design recreates the traditional practice of Boro stitching...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Cotton, Muslin, Thread, Wood, Dye
"Graphiti, " Mixed Media Collage
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Paper, Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
"Bamboo Sunset (Persimmon), " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera - including fragment...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Wood, Paper
"New Morning, " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his travels. His ongoing series of large-scale kites bridge the gap between flat art and sculpture, each crafted of split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage ephemera – including kimonos, obis, paintings, scrolls, drawings, metal leaf, bleeding paper, book pages, or anything with a story to tell.
In “New Morning,” panels of teal and indigo leach across the expansive canvas with captivating irregularity. Contrasted by a neutral field of vintage block prints...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Wood
"Sawyer, " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Wood
"Reflective Composition (Blue Stamp), " Mixed Media Collage
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his travels. His ongoing series of large-scale kites bridge the gap between flat art and sculpture, each crafted of split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage ephemera – including kimonos, obis, paintings, scrolls, drawings, metal leaf, bleeding paper, book pages, or anything with a story to tell.
A combination of print and collage, this work entitled “Reflective Composition (Blue Stamp...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Paper, Ink
"Clover Valley II, " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Silk, Wood, Ink, Rice Paper
"Peach Bloom, " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Silk
"Day Turns to Night, " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Ink, Rice Paper, Silk
"Aeriform" Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Wood, Washi Paper, Pigment, Silk
"The Embrace (Shunga Study), " Mixed Media Collage
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Paper, Ink
"Beach-Combed Mochaware, " Mixed Media Sculpture
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his travels. In his ongoing series of memory jugs, Thompson adorns stoneware vessels with a kaleidoscope of ceramic shards, found objects, and pocket-sized trinkets he collected over the course of his life.
Also known as forget-me-not jugs or spirit jars, memory jugs are African American folk art objects that honor a loved one who has recently passed. Small tokens and mementos of the deceased are gathered and affixed to the exterior of a jug or vase, an abundance of memories that celebrates a life lived to the fullest.
Michael Thompson applies this tradition to his own practice, creating tactile assemblages of this and that. Formed in the manner of collage, each jug honors the lost memories of generations past and his own memories of personally discovering each item. With varied sources for materials including Kyoto, Turkey, and Mexico, a great number of the found shards are 18th and 19th century ceramics...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Stone
"Iridescence, " Mixed Media Sculpture
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his travels. In his ongoing series of memory jugs, Thompson adorns stoneware vessels with a kaleidoscope of ceramic shards, found objects, and pocket-sized trinkets he collected over the course of his life.
Also known as forget-me-not jugs or spirit jars...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Stone
"Dune, " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Wood
"China Cabinet, " Mixed Media Sculpture
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Stone
"Bouquet, " Mixed Media Sculpture
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his travels. In his ongoing series of memory jugs, Thompson adorns stoneware vessels with a kaleidoscope of ceramic shards, found objects, and pocket-sized trinkets he collected over the course of his life.
Also known as forget-me-not jugs or spirit jars, memory jugs are African American folk art objects that honor a loved one who has recently passed. Small tokens and mementos of the deceased are gathered and affixed to the exterior of a jug or vase, an abundance of memories that celebrates a life lived to the fullest.
Michael Thompson applies this tradition to his own practice, creating tactile assemblages of this and that. Formed in the manner of collage, each jug honors the lost memories of generations past and his own memories of personally discovering each item. With varied sources for materials including Kyoto, Turkey, and Mexico, a great number of the found shards are 18th and 19th century ceramics...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Stone
"Furbelow I, " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments of fabric, scrolls, drawings, and books collected during his travels.
In “Furbelow I,” Thompson arranges scraps of Japanese silk to form a patchwork of contrasting pattern and color. Placed with balanced asymmetry, the panels of deep indigo and sheer silk create a dark, moody atmosphere reminiscent of a night sky. Gradients of light to dark evoke soft, moonlit clouds and delicate pine branches appear as forked bolts of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Wood, Paper
"Ikebana, " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his travels. His ongoing series of large-scale kites bridge the gap between flat art and sculpture, each crafted of split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage ephemera – including kimonos, obis, paintings, scrolls, drawings, metal leaf, bleeding paper, book pages, or anything with a story to tell.
In this bamboo kite entitled “Ikebana,” Thompson beautifully layers darkly saturated fragments atop pages of found text. A repurposed calligraphy scroll panels the left side, brushed with black ink with full flower blossoms and leafy foliage, while delicate pine branches grow upwards from the bottom. Vintage Japanese block prints...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Wood
"River and Pond Kite, " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Wood, Ink, Watercolor, Rice Paper
"Boroboro II, " Mixed-Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments of fabric, scrolls, drawings, and books collected during his travels.
This kite entitled "Boroboro II" is patterned with a patchwork of Japanese cotton...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Wood, Cotton, Thread, Dye
"Furbelow II" Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments of fabric, scrolls, drawings, and books collected during his travels.
In “Furbelow II,” Thompson arranges scraps of Japanese silk to form a patchwork of contrasting pattern and color. Placed with balanced asymmetry, the panels of deep indigo and sheer silk create a dark, moody atmosphere reminiscent of a night sky. Gradients of light to dark evoke soft, moonlit clouds and delicate pine branches appear as forked bolts of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Wood, Silk
"Voyage, " Mixed Media Collage
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Wood
"Dappled Light, " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Wood, Paint, Paper
"Dancing Til Dawn, " Mixed-Media Kite, 2022
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera - including fragment...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Silk, Wood
"Parts of Another, " Mixed Media Collage
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Paper, Monoprint
"Red Headed Drummer, " Mixed Media Collage
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Paper, Ink
"Seascape, " Oil on Canvas
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Entitled "Seascape," this painting by Chicago artist Michael Thompson is a departure from the collage work of his ongoing kite series. Rendered in ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Canvas, Latex, Oil
"Feng Shui, " Mixed-Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments of fabric, scrolls, drawings, and books collected during his travels.
In “Feng Shui...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Silk, Wood
"Joie de Vivre, " Mixed-Media Kite, 2023
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera - including fragments of fabric, scrolls, drawings, and books collected during his travels.
In this kite entitled "Joie de Vivre," Thompson creates a delicate composition from antique wallpaper...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Wood, Paper
"Patina, " Mixed Media Kite
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Wood, Watercolor, Rice Paper, Mixed Media
"Abstraction in Cobalt, " Mixed-Media Kite, 2021
By Michael Thompson
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago-based artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites crafted from split bamboo frames covered with stretched muslin and a collage of vintage Asian ephemera—including fragments ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Michael Thompson Photographer Art
Materials
Muslin, Wood, Silk, Pigment
Michael Thompson Photographer art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Michael Thompson Photographer art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Michael Thompson Photographer in fabric, cotton, muslin and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Michael Thompson Photographer art, so small editions measuring 20 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Greg Ragland, Raul de la Torre, and Debra Drexler. Michael Thompson Photographer art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,280 and tops out at $12,800, while the average work can sell for $5,880.