GOREGE BILLIS GALLERY / JOANN THORNTON

y work investigates objects from nature which are intriguing because of their beauty, function, form and design; I am mesmerized by their grace and sensuousness.” says artist Joann Thornton. “By presenting an intimate perspective, I intend for the viewer to rediscover these familiar objects.” Likewise, the rich browns of Selenium toned Silver Print and Vandyke process offers a sense of mystery which emphasizes the quirkiness of some of these organic specimens. Each one of these objects acts as evidence of a power beyond mankind’s. “I want the viewer to cherish them and find them imbued with the same rarefied honor as I do. They are miraculous inexplicable “Wonderworks.” I approach this work from a variety of viewpoints searching for the form, pattern, design, organic abstraction and subliminal eroticism within each object. I want these images to transcend objective documentation, celebrate life and reference the majestic importance of nature,” says Thornton.

Joann Thornton, born 1964, grew up in South Orange, New Jersey. She received her Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI and her Bachelor of Arts in Printmaking from the Rutgers University, Newark, NJ. Thornton began investigating alternative photographic processes once she moved to New York in 1990. She had always utilized photography in her printmaking so it was a natural transition for her work. Her work is in numerous collections including the McNay Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas, University of Maine Museum of Art, Orono, Maine and the Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. The artist currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.


y work investigates objects from nature which are intriguing because of their beauty, function, form and design; I am mesmerized by their grace and sensuousness.” says artist Joann Thornton. “By presenting an intimate perspective, I intend for the viewer to rediscover these familiar objects.” Likewise, the rich browns of Selenium toned Silver Print and Vandyke process offers a sense of mystery which emphasizes the quirkiness of some of these organic specimens. Each one of these objects acts as evidence of a power beyond mankind’s. “I want the viewer to cherish them and find them imbued with the same rarefied honor as I do. They are miraculous inexplicable “Wonderworks.” I approach this work from a variety of viewpoints searching for the form, pattern, design, organic abstraction and subliminal eroticism within each object. I want these images to transcend objective documentation, celebrate life and reference the majestic importance of nature,” says Thornton. Joann Thornton, born 1964, grew up in South Orange, New Jersey. She received her Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI and her Bachelor of Arts in Printmaking from the Rutgers University, Newark, NJ. Thornton began investigating alternative photographic processes once she moved to New York in 1990. She had always utilized photography in her printmaking so it was a natural transition for her work. Her work is in numerous collections including the McNay Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas, University of Maine Museum of Art, Orono, Maine and the Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. The artist currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden-7, 1/5, Epson UltraChrome Ink Jet print on Hahnemuhle Acid Free Rag paper, 14 x 9.5", 2004 • Grape Hyacinth, 1/5, Epson UltraChrome Ink Jet print on Hahnemuhle Acid Free Rag paper, 14 x 9.5", 2004

• Aloe, 1/5, Epson UltraChrome Ink Jet print on Somerset Velvet 100% Cotton-Acid Free paper, 14x 9.5", 2003 • New York Botanic Garden - 1, 1/5, Epson UltraChrome Ink Jet print on Somerset Velvet 100% Cotton-Acid Free paper, 14x 9.5", 2003

• Coconut Leaf, Ultra Chrome Ink Jet print on Somerset Velvet Free paper, 14 x 9.5", 1/5, 2003 • Coral Plant, Ultra Chrome Ink Jet print on Somerset Velvet paper, 14 x 9.5", 1/8, 2003

• Bahamas-5, Archival pigment-based UltraChrome Ink Jet print on Somerset Velvet 100% Cotton-Acid Free paper, 14 x 11", 1/5, 2002 • Bahamas-1, Archival pigment-based UltraChrome Ink Jet print on Somerset Velvet 100% Cotton-Acid Free paper, 1/8, 9.5 x 14", 2002

• Caucasian Wingnut-1, Pigmented Ink Jet print, 1/5, 11x 14, 2002 • Silktree-1, Archival Pigmented Ink Jet print, 1/5, 11x 14", 2002

• Spathe Flower, Pigmented Ink Jet Print on Cranes Watercolor Paper, 1/5, 16x 13", 2001 • Fountain Grass II, Selenium toned Silver Print, 14 x 11", 2001

• Pieris Japonica, Selenium toned Silver Print, 14 x 11", 2001 • Flower Series IV, Vandyke Print on Watercolor Paper, 18 x 15", 2000

• Flower Series II, Vandyke Print on Watercolor Paper, 15 x 18", 2000 • Flower Series V, Vandyke Print on Watercolor Paper, 18 x 15", 2000

• Basswood, Vandyke Print, 12 7/8 x 10 7/8", 2000 • Fern, Vandyke Print, 14 3/8 x 12 3/8", 2000

• Long Bud, Vandyke Print, 14 3/8 x 12 3/8", 2000 • Dandelion III, Vandyke Print, 14 3/8 x 12 3/8", 2000 • Resume: Joann Thornton
• For additional information please email or contact the gallery. gallery@georgebillis.com
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