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 “Repose” condenses the complex processes involved in Thompson’s kite works into a small-scale format. Moody and atmospheric, the collage depicts a woman reclining in comfort, draped in a blanket of silks and leaning against a teal blue backdrop. Imagery borrowed from vintage Japanese prints are carefully layered to create new forms - the torso of a young woman is given new context, while kimono sleeves and crashing waves are spliced to become the folds of a blanket. Printed shading overlaid onto the collage achieves a distressed, shadowy effect that softens towards the center to create a subtle halo of light around the woman. Unexpected found elements add depth to the quiet scene, from the torn paper edges that resemble well-worn textures to the Chinese calligraphy that fades into the darkness.
"Repose," 2018
Michael Thompson
Monoprint and found paper collage. Framed.
Additional Dimensions:
Visible Collage: 9"W x 12"H
