"Dark Knight" 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 this kite entitled “Dark Knight," Thompson gives a Japanese calligraphy painting pride of place amidst a collage of pale brown rice paper. The print depicts a Japanese woman in fine dress, concealing her face behind a large comb. Fashioned in the shape of a kimono, the kite itself mirrors the woman's elegant attire, layered fragments giving the illusion of vegetable-dyed silk fabrics. The combination of neutral colors and focused imagery results in an uncluttered composition and sense of calm and serenity.

This kite takes its name from the 2008 film "Batman: The Dark Knight" for which it was created and featured in.

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, mixed materials.