"The Passage of Time" 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.

Entitled "The Passage of Time," this small kite is painted with a checkered pattern of gold and black, textured by the creases and folds of the layered paper underneath. A weathered appearance softens the rigid gridlines, the shimmering gilt finish reflecting the light with beautiful warm undertones. The composition is dotted with glimpses of the found paper collage base, each patterned with Chinese characters and subtle red pigments.

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