Jonathan Thunder infuses his personal lens with real-time world experiences using a wide range of mediums. He is known for his surreal paintings, digitally animated films and installations in which he addresses subject matter of personal experience and social commentary. Jon is an enrolled member of the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe, and makes his home and studio in Duluth, MN.
He has attended the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, NM and studied Visual Effects and Motion Graphics in Minneapolis, MN at the Art Institute International. His work has been featured in many states, regional, and national exhibitions, as well as in local and international publications. Thunder is the recipient of a 2020-21 Pollock – Krasner Foundation Award for his risk taking in painting. Since his first solo exhibit in 2004, he has won several awards for his short films in national and international competitions. His work is in the permanent collections of Museums and Universities.
Acrylic on canvas
36" x 60"
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Artist Statement for Blueberry pie:
Gratitude has played an important role in my ability to experience and acknowledge joy. In this vignette, a husband shows his gratitude and love to his partner. I work in combined references to how the universe is working around me, from the mundane to world events. Blueberries are part of the natural food landscape, making it good food for the body and spirit. In my imagery, birds have a role of good things to come, or speaking good language to one another. I use cedar to represent healing properties. I have a background as working as an animator, so animation aesthetic and culture often lives in my work. I often combine mythology and with pop culture while creating my subjects and compositions.