"Patina" Kite by Michael Thompson

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 “Patina,” Thompson uses vibrant blue and green watercolor pigments to unite disparate fragments of metallic lace and brown handmade paper. Reminiscent of patinated metals, the mottled colors spread across the kite as though corroding the earth tones underneath with exposure to air.

Thompson has earned an international reputation for his kite works, an engrossing project initiated by the artist more than a decade ago.

Split bamboo, muslin, rice paper, watercolor, mixed materials.