Ruth Thorne-Thomsen

From the series Expeditions (1976-1984) which alludes to 19^th century photographs of Egypt and recapture a sense of wonder of seeing monumental ruins of early civilizations. Thorne-Thomsen toned much of this work to echo salt prints and albumen prints from that period.

From the series Expeditions (1976-1984) which alludes to 19^th century photographs of Egypt and recapture a sense of wonder of seeing monumental ruins of early civilizations. Thorne-Thomsen toned much of this work to echo salt prints and albumen prints from that period.

From the series Door (1981-1983) which engages in the symbolism of water and rocks, and many were made in Door County, Wisconsin, where her family had a home. After her 1983 trip to the islands of Greece, such symbolism continued in her work. 

From the sereies Songs of the Sea (1991-1993) which was made in Wisconsin but alludes to Greek mythology, continuing her interest in nature and the symbolism of water. Just as with mythology itself, these works are part narrative and part psychological exploration.

From the sereies Songs of the Sea (1991-1993) which was made in Wisconsin but alludes to Greek mythology, continuing her interest in nature and the symbolism of water. Just as with mythology itself, these works are part narrative and part psychological exploration

From the sereies Songs of the Sea (1991-1993) which was made in Wisconsin but alludes to Greek mythology, continuing her interest in nature and the symbolism of water. Just as with mythology itself, these works are part narrative and part psychological exploration

From the sereies Songs of the Sea (1991-1993) which was made in Wisconsin but alludes to Greek mythology, continuing her interest in nature and the symbolism of water. Just as with mythology itself, these works are part narrative and part psychological exploration.

From the sereies Songs of the Sea (1991-1993) which was made in Wisconsin but alludes to Greek mythology, continuing her interest in nature and the symbolism of water. Just as with mythology itself, these works are part narrative and part psychological exploration

From the series Proverbs (1997) which like Songs of the Sea aludes to Greek mythology but takes it a step further, adding provocative titles to imagery of classical figures poised in a performative or theatrical manner.

From the series Proverbs (1997) which like Songs of the Sea aludes to Greek mythology but takes it a step further, adding provocative titles to imagery of classical figures poised in a performative or theatrical manner.

From the series Proverbs (1997) which like Songs of the Sea aludes to Greek mythology but takes it a step further, adding provocative titles to imagery of classical figures poised in a performative or theatrical manner.

From the series Proverbs (1997) which like Songs of the Sea aludes to Greek mythology but takes it a step further, adding provocative titles to imagery of classical figures poised in a performative or theatrical manner.

From the series Views from the Shoreline (1986-1987) which references 15th century Florentine profile paintings by Piero della Francesca and his compression of space between the portrait and the landscape behind. Yet Thorne-Thomsen uses that familiar construction to create images that evoke a surrealist landscape of the unconscious juxtaposed with the land, not the land owned by the figure but rather a symbol of earth and the continuum of time.

From the series Views from the Shoreline (1986-1987) which references 15th century Florentine profile paintings by Piero della Francesca and his compression of space between the portrait and the landscape behind. Yet Thorne-Thomsen uses that familiar construction to create images that evoke a surrealist landscape of the unconscious juxtaposed with the land, not the land owned by the figure but rather a symbol of earth and the continuum of time.

From the series Door (1981-1983) which engages in the symbolism of water and rocks, and many were made in Door County, Wisconsin, where her family had a home. After her 1983 trip to the islands of Greece, such symbolism continued in her work. 


Additional prints are available. Please inquire.

From the series  Dot People (2000) which depict figures that seem to be made of rocks woven together in almost a constellation. They expand upon an idea from an early piece from Door titled Dot-Lady and elements from Prima Materia (1985-87), the first matter, which, aligned with the concept of Gaia, promotes the unity between humanity and nature.

From the series  Dot People (2000) which depict figures that seem to be made of rocks woven together in almost a constellation. They expand upon an idea from an early piece from Door titled Dot-Lady and elements from Prima Materia (1985-87), the first matter, which, aligned with the concept of Gaia, promotes the unity between humanity and nature.