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Jörgen Thornberg
Sit down, for heaven's sake!, 2023
Digital
50 x 70 cm
3 200 kr
"How do you fit four giraffes in an old Volkswagen?"
"Buy a used convertible."
Today, everyone and their grandma knows what a giraffe is. Please be kind if they show up at the local cinema and obstruct your view. Their kicks are not to be trifled with.
Imagine the scene back in Caesar's day when giraffes made their grand debut in Rome. Picture this: Caesar's like, 'Hey, check out this thing I heard of; it's like a camel but with spots like a leopard! They call it a camelopard.' So his girlfriend Cleopatra brings it to Rome, and everyone's like, 'Whoa, that's wild!' It's like a real-life episode of 'Ancient Rome's Got Talent '.
Giraffes, the original long necks, stand tall at 4.5-5.5 m (14-18 ft). Imagine the thrill of being so tall that you could play hide and seek with the clouds. And those legs? They're long enough for your average adult to stroll underneath. But be warned – giraffes are tall and speedy, and their kicks pack a serious punch!
Now, let's delve into their necks. They're like the Swiss Army knives of the animal kingdom, stretching up to 8 feet long! But why? Some say it's for reaching high branches, but recent studies suggest it's more about battling for love. That's right; male giraffes engage in what's known as 'necking' to win over the ladies. It's like the Animal Kingdom's version of a rap battle but with more headbutting. Isn't that fascinating?
And speaking of romance, giraffes have the most unique pick-up line – their coat patterns! Picture this: a giraffe strutting up to another, showing off its leopard-spotted coat like, "Hey, baby, check out my spots!" It's like they're wearing nature's version of designer clothing.
But giraffes aren't just about looking fancy – they're built tough. They're the ultimate survivors and party lions, with huge hearts and blood vessels designed to keep the blood flowing to their brains. And let's not forget their unique drinking style – ever seen a giraffe do yoga to sip water? It's a sight to behold!
In 1487, in an attempt to establish better diplomatic relations with Florence against the Ottoman Turks, the sultan of Egypt presented a gift to Lorenzo de' Medici (the Magnificent)—a female giraffe, the first to be seen in Italy in more than 1,500 years. Allowed to wander the streets, eating from the hands of children and raising its head to take apples and other fruit offered from second-story windows by the noblewomen of Florence, the animal was a sensation, invariably evoking astonishment and delight (as it had for Heliodorus in the third century AD). As one diarist recorded at the time, the giraffe was “Molto alto, molto bello e piacevole e ha buon gusto per il vino” - very tall, very beautiful, and pleasing and have good taste for wine. As one diarist recorded at the time, the giraffe was "Molto alto, molto bello e piacevole e ha buon gusto per il vino"-very tall, very beautiful, and pleasing and have good taste for wine. Indeed, the word 'giraffe' derives from the Arabic zarāfa, 'lovely one.' This is a testament to the awe-inspiring nature of giraffes.
After a while, someone jokingly offered the giraffe a gallon of wine, and the girl developed a taste for the drink. She gradually became more and more addicted and with exquisite taste. Only the finest Tuscan white wines would do. In her drunkenness and debauchery, the animal would sometimes rush out to the square for some dessert in the form of delicious apples. It could get chaotic, and stands went flying in all directions.
Now, let's fast-forward to Florence for a look. The city's buzzing with excitement as a giraffe struts through the streets like it owns the place. Lorenzo de' Medici's like, "This giraffe's gonna be my new wingman!" But little did he know, giraffes aren't just about boosting your street cred – they're party animals! Before you know it, this giraffe's chugging Tuscan wine like it's going out of style, causing chaos in the streets!
But amidst all the craziness, Lorenzo towers over everyone with his giraffe by his side. It's like a scene from a Renaissance comedy – a tyrant, a drunken giraffe girl, and a city full of chaos. Who knew giraffes could cause such an uproar?
In a ceiling fresco in the Palazzo Vecchio commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici, Lorenzo is seated before his ambassadors, his thirteen-year-old son before him in the crimson robe of a cardinal, and towering over all—the Medici giraffe. It died less than two years later of a broken neck when the animal tried to extricate itself after being caught in the rafters of its stall. By 1492, Lorenzo himself was dead, as was his giraffe.
Ultimately, the giraffe's story is tragic, like a Shakespearean drama. At least it went out in style, sipping wine and causing chaos until the end. Rest in peace, Lorenzo's giraffe – you'll always be the life of the party!
We need to start paying attention to giraffe populations so we don’t risk losing them. Giraffes are familiar to most of us because of pop culture and their popularity in zoos across the globe. But they’re so well-known that we got it in our heads that they’re doing just fine, and they’re not. Admittedly, giraffes are currently a lot better off than some species – rhinos, for example – but that doesn’t mean we should continue to be complacent about them. Let’s do our best to keep them around for a long time. Their survival is in our hands.
Giraffes aren’t ideal as pets. Taking them on outings requires a large Cabriolet, a Maybach Landaulet, known for its impressive size and luxury, which can be obtained for about one and a half million euros. That's what you owe your new buddy, the giraffe.
They involve much feeding, so neighbours become a little angry when their carefully tended trees begin to disappear from the top downwards. You must also factor in your Health and Safety Ladder Training and Working at Heights training to access the higher branches for feeding or take refuge on the roof from the previously mentioned irate neighbour.
Giraffes also need licensing to keep them in many countries. This is considerably more expensive than your TV license, as extremely high and robust fencing is required to keep them from straying. Another condition of a permit would be that a suitable building is needed. Planning permission is very expensive nowadays, and it also costs a lot to heat said house to suit a giraffe, which is used in African temperatures. You could put your Ladder Training and Working at Heights training to good use by installing solar panels on the roof (probably while still avoiding the irate neighbour).
Other pets in the family may show signs of jealousy towards your giraffe. With a dog, this may involve your giraffe sleeping on the carpets or, if it’s a cat, shredding the arms on the sofa with its hoofs, but don’t worry, with your training, you can avoid the wife at the same time as the angry neighbour.
All in all, a hamster may well be the better option. You can keep your marriage, pets, and neighbours intact without fear of big holes in the lawn or a considerable head blocking the light through your bedroom windows.
You can support giraffe conservation efforts through WWF or IUCN or check out the Wild Focus Project’s list of conservation groups to support in Africa. But please, no alcohol.
Jörgen Thornberg
Sit down, for heaven's sake!, 2023
Digital
50 x 70 cm
3 200 kr
"How do you fit four giraffes in an old Volkswagen?"
"Buy a used convertible."
Today, everyone and their grandma knows what a giraffe is. Please be kind if they show up at the local cinema and obstruct your view. Their kicks are not to be trifled with.
Imagine the scene back in Caesar's day when giraffes made their grand debut in Rome. Picture this: Caesar's like, 'Hey, check out this thing I heard of; it's like a camel but with spots like a leopard! They call it a camelopard.' So his girlfriend Cleopatra brings it to Rome, and everyone's like, 'Whoa, that's wild!' It's like a real-life episode of 'Ancient Rome's Got Talent '.
Giraffes, the original long necks, stand tall at 4.5-5.5 m (14-18 ft). Imagine the thrill of being so tall that you could play hide and seek with the clouds. And those legs? They're long enough for your average adult to stroll underneath. But be warned – giraffes are tall and speedy, and their kicks pack a serious punch!
Now, let's delve into their necks. They're like the Swiss Army knives of the animal kingdom, stretching up to 8 feet long! But why? Some say it's for reaching high branches, but recent studies suggest it's more about battling for love. That's right; male giraffes engage in what's known as 'necking' to win over the ladies. It's like the Animal Kingdom's version of a rap battle but with more headbutting. Isn't that fascinating?
And speaking of romance, giraffes have the most unique pick-up line – their coat patterns! Picture this: a giraffe strutting up to another, showing off its leopard-spotted coat like, "Hey, baby, check out my spots!" It's like they're wearing nature's version of designer clothing.
But giraffes aren't just about looking fancy – they're built tough. They're the ultimate survivors and party lions, with huge hearts and blood vessels designed to keep the blood flowing to their brains. And let's not forget their unique drinking style – ever seen a giraffe do yoga to sip water? It's a sight to behold!
In 1487, in an attempt to establish better diplomatic relations with Florence against the Ottoman Turks, the sultan of Egypt presented a gift to Lorenzo de' Medici (the Magnificent)—a female giraffe, the first to be seen in Italy in more than 1,500 years. Allowed to wander the streets, eating from the hands of children and raising its head to take apples and other fruit offered from second-story windows by the noblewomen of Florence, the animal was a sensation, invariably evoking astonishment and delight (as it had for Heliodorus in the third century AD). As one diarist recorded at the time, the giraffe was “Molto alto, molto bello e piacevole e ha buon gusto per il vino” - very tall, very beautiful, and pleasing and have good taste for wine. As one diarist recorded at the time, the giraffe was "Molto alto, molto bello e piacevole e ha buon gusto per il vino"-very tall, very beautiful, and pleasing and have good taste for wine. Indeed, the word 'giraffe' derives from the Arabic zarāfa, 'lovely one.' This is a testament to the awe-inspiring nature of giraffes.
After a while, someone jokingly offered the giraffe a gallon of wine, and the girl developed a taste for the drink. She gradually became more and more addicted and with exquisite taste. Only the finest Tuscan white wines would do. In her drunkenness and debauchery, the animal would sometimes rush out to the square for some dessert in the form of delicious apples. It could get chaotic, and stands went flying in all directions.
Now, let's fast-forward to Florence for a look. The city's buzzing with excitement as a giraffe struts through the streets like it owns the place. Lorenzo de' Medici's like, "This giraffe's gonna be my new wingman!" But little did he know, giraffes aren't just about boosting your street cred – they're party animals! Before you know it, this giraffe's chugging Tuscan wine like it's going out of style, causing chaos in the streets!
But amidst all the craziness, Lorenzo towers over everyone with his giraffe by his side. It's like a scene from a Renaissance comedy – a tyrant, a drunken giraffe girl, and a city full of chaos. Who knew giraffes could cause such an uproar?
In a ceiling fresco in the Palazzo Vecchio commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici, Lorenzo is seated before his ambassadors, his thirteen-year-old son before him in the crimson robe of a cardinal, and towering over all—the Medici giraffe. It died less than two years later of a broken neck when the animal tried to extricate itself after being caught in the rafters of its stall. By 1492, Lorenzo himself was dead, as was his giraffe.
Ultimately, the giraffe's story is tragic, like a Shakespearean drama. At least it went out in style, sipping wine and causing chaos until the end. Rest in peace, Lorenzo's giraffe – you'll always be the life of the party!
We need to start paying attention to giraffe populations so we don’t risk losing them. Giraffes are familiar to most of us because of pop culture and their popularity in zoos across the globe. But they’re so well-known that we got it in our heads that they’re doing just fine, and they’re not. Admittedly, giraffes are currently a lot better off than some species – rhinos, for example – but that doesn’t mean we should continue to be complacent about them. Let’s do our best to keep them around for a long time. Their survival is in our hands.
Giraffes aren’t ideal as pets. Taking them on outings requires a large Cabriolet, a Maybach Landaulet, known for its impressive size and luxury, which can be obtained for about one and a half million euros. That's what you owe your new buddy, the giraffe.
They involve much feeding, so neighbours become a little angry when their carefully tended trees begin to disappear from the top downwards. You must also factor in your Health and Safety Ladder Training and Working at Heights training to access the higher branches for feeding or take refuge on the roof from the previously mentioned irate neighbour.
Giraffes also need licensing to keep them in many countries. This is considerably more expensive than your TV license, as extremely high and robust fencing is required to keep them from straying. Another condition of a permit would be that a suitable building is needed. Planning permission is very expensive nowadays, and it also costs a lot to heat said house to suit a giraffe, which is used in African temperatures. You could put your Ladder Training and Working at Heights training to good use by installing solar panels on the roof (probably while still avoiding the irate neighbour).
Other pets in the family may show signs of jealousy towards your giraffe. With a dog, this may involve your giraffe sleeping on the carpets or, if it’s a cat, shredding the arms on the sofa with its hoofs, but don’t worry, with your training, you can avoid the wife at the same time as the angry neighbour.
All in all, a hamster may well be the better option. You can keep your marriage, pets, and neighbours intact without fear of big holes in the lawn or a considerable head blocking the light through your bedroom windows.
You can support giraffe conservation efforts through WWF or IUCN or check out the Wild Focus Project’s list of conservation groups to support in Africa. But please, no alcohol.
3 200 kr
Jörgen Thornberg
Malmö
Lite om bilder och mig. Translation in English at the end.
Jag är en nyfiken person som ser allt i bilder, även det jag fäster i ord, gärna tillsammans för bakom alla mina bilder finns en berättelse. Till vissa bilder hör en kortare eller längre novell som följer med bilden.
Bilder berättar historier. Jag omges av naturlig skönhet, intressanta människor och historia var jag än går. Jag använder min kamera för att dokumentera världen och blanda det jag ser med vad jag känner för att fånga den dolda magin.
Mina bilder berättar mina historier. Genom mina bilder, tryck och berättelser. Jag bjuder in dig att ta del av dessa berättelser, in i ditt liv och hem och dela min mycket personliga syn på vår värld. Mer än vad ögat ser. Jag tänker i bilder, drömmer och skriver och pratar om dem; följaktligen måste jag också skapa bilder. De blir vad jag ser, inte nödvändigtvis begränsade till verkligheten. Det finns en bild runt varje hörn. Jag hoppas att du kommer att se vad jag såg och gilla det.
Jag är också en skrivande person och till många bilder hör en kortare eller längre essay. Den följer med tavlan, tryckt på fint papper och med en personlig hälsning från mig.
Flertalet bilder startar sin resa i min kamera. Enkelt förklarat beskriver jag bilden jag ser i mitt inre, upplevd eller fantiserad. Bilden uppstår inom mig redan innan jag fått okularet till ögat. På bråkdelen av ett ögonblick ser jag vad jag vill ha och vad som kan göras med bilden. Här skall jag stoppa in en giraff, stålmannen, Titanic eller vad det är min fantasi finner ut. Ännu märkligare är att jag kommer ihåg minnesbilden långt efteråt när det blir tid att skapa verket. Om jag lyckas eller inte, är upp till betraktaren, oftast präglat av en stråk av svart humor – meningen är att man skall bli underhållen. Mina bilder blir ofta en snackis där de hänger.
Jag föredrar bilder som förmedlar ett budskap i flera lager. Vid första anblicken fylld av feel-good, en vacker utsikt, fint väder, solen skiner, blommor på ängen eller vattnet som ligger förrädiskt spegelblankt. I en sådan bild kan jag gömma min egentliga berättelse, mitt förakt för förtryckare och våldsverkare, rasister och fördomsfulla människor - ett gärna återkommande motiv mer eller mindre dolt i det vackra motivet. Jag försöker förena dem i ett gemensamt narrativ.
Bild och formgivning har löpt som en röd tråd genom livet. Fotokonst känns som en värdig final som jag gärna delar med mig.
Min genre är vid som framgår av mina bilder, temat en blandning av pop- och gatukonst i kollage som kan bestå av hundratals lager. Vissa bilder kan ta veckor, andra någon dag innan det är dags att överlämna resultatet till printverkstaden. Fine Art Prints är digitala fotocollage. I dessa kollage sker rivandet, klippandet, pusslandet, målandet, ritandet och sprayningen digitalt. Det jag monterar in kan vara hundratals år gamla bilder som jag omsorgsfullt frilägger så att de ser ut att vara en del av tavlan men också bilder skapade av mig själv efter min egen fantasi. Därefter besöks printstudion och för vissa bilder numrera en limiterad upplaga (oftast 7 exemplar) och signera för hand. Vissa bilder kan köpas i olika format. Det är bara att fråga efter vilka. Gillar man en bild som är 70x100 men inte har plats på väggen, går den kanske att få i 50x70 cm istället. Frågan är fri.
Metoden Giclée eller Fine Art Print som det också kallas är det moderna sättet för framställning av grafisk konst. Villkoret för denna typ av utskrifter är att en högkvalitativ storformatskrivare används med åldersbeständigt färgpigment och konstnärspapper eller i förekommande fall på duk. Pappret som används möter de krav på livslängd som ställs av museer och gallerier. Normalt säljer jag mina bilder oinramade så att den nya ägaren själv kan bestämma hur de skall se ut, med eller utan passepartout färg på ram, med eller utan glas etc..
Under många år ställde jag bara ut på nätet, i valda grupper och på min egen Facebooksida - https://www.facebook.com/jorgen.thornberg.9
Jag finns också på en egen hemsida som tyvärr inte alltid är uppdaterad – https://www.jth.life/ Där kan du också läsa en del av de berättelser som följer med bilden.
UTSTÄLLNINGAR
Luftkastellet, oktober 2022
Konst i Lund, november 2022
Luftkastellet, mars 2023
Engleson Galleri Caroli, april 2023
Hydra, Greece June 2023
Engleson Galleri Caroli, oktober 2023
Toppen, Höllviken december 2023
Luftkastellet, mars 2024
Torups Galleri, mars 2024
Venice, May 2024
Luftkastellet, oktober 2024
Konst i Advent, December 2024
Galleri Engleson, Caroli December 2024
Jäger & Jansson Galleri, april 2025
A bit about pictures and me.
I'm a curious person who sees everything in pictures, even what I express in words, often combining them, for behind all my pictures lies a story. These narratives, some as short as a single image and others as long as a novel, are the heart and soul of my work.
Pictures tell stories. Wherever I go, I'm surrounded by natural beauty, exciting people, and history. I use my camera to document the world and blend what I see with what I feel to capture the hidden magic.
My images tell my stories. Through my pictures, prints, and narratives, I invite you to partake in these stories in your life and home and share my deeply personal perspective of our world. More than meets the eye. I think in pictures, dream, write, and talk about them; consequently, I must create images too. They become what I see, not necessarily confined to reality. There's a picture around every corner. I hope you'll see what I saw and enjoy it.
I'm also a writer, and many images come with a shorter or longer essay. It accompanies the painting, printed on fine paper with my personal greeting.
Many pictures start their journey on my camera. Simply put, I describe the image I see in my mind, experienced or imagined. The image arises within me even before I bring the eyepiece to my eye. In a fraction of a moment, I see what I want and what can be done with the picture. Here, I'll insert a giraffe, Superman, the Titanic, or whatever my imagination conjures up. Even stranger is that I remember the mental image long after it's time to create the work. Whether I succeed is up to the observer, often imbued with a streak of black humour – the aim is to entertain. My pictures usually become a talking point wherever they hang.
I prefer pictures that convey a message in multiple layers. At first glance, they're filled with feel-good vibes, a beautiful view, lovely weather, the sun shining, flowers in the meadow, or the water lying deceptively calm. But beneath this surface beauty, I often conceal a deeper story, a narrative that challenges societal norms or explores the human condition. I invite you to delve into these hidden narratives and discover the layers of meaning within my work.
Picture and design have been a thread running through my life. Photographic art feels like a fitting finale, and I'm happy to share it.
My genre is varied, as seen in my pictures; the theme is a blend of pop and street art in collages that can consist of hundreds of layers. Some images can take weeks, others just a day before it's time to hand over the result to the print workshop. Fine Art Prints are digital photo collages. In these collages, tearing, cutting, puzzling, painting, drawing, and spraying happen digitally. What I insert can be images hundreds of years old that I carefully extract so they appear to be part of the painting, but also images created by myself, now also generated from my imagination. Next, visit the print studio and, for certain images, number a limited edition (usually 7 copies) and sign them by hand. Some images may be available in other formats. Just ask which ones. If you like an image that's 70x100 but doesn't have space on the wall, you might be able to get it in 50x70 cm instead. The question is open.
The Giclée method, or Fine Art Print as it's also called, is the modern way of producing graphic art. This method ensures the highest quality and longevity of the artwork, using a high-quality large-format printer with archival pigment inks and artist paper or, in some cases, canvas. The paper used meets the longevity requirements set by museums and galleries. I sell my pictures unframed, allowing the new owner to personalise their artwork, confident in the lasting value and quality of the piece.
For many years, I only exhibited online, in selected groups, and on my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/jorgen.thornberg.9. I also have my website, which unfortunately is not constantly updated - https://www.jth.life/. You can also read some of the stories accompanying the pictures there.
EXHIBITIONS
Luftkastellet, October 2022
Art in Lund, November 2022
Luftkastellet, March 2023
Engleson Gallery Caroli, April 2023
Hydra, Greece June 2023
Engleson Gallery Caroli, October 2023
Toppen, Höllviken December 2023
Luftkastellet, March 2024
Torup Gallery, March 2024
Venice, May 2024
UTSTÄLLNINGAR
Luftkastellet, oktober 2022
Konst i Lund, november 2022
Luftkastellet, mars 2023
Engleson Galleri Caroli, april 2023
Hydra, Greece June 2023
Engleson Galleri Caroli, oktober 2023
Toppen, Höllviken december 2023
Luftkastellet, mars 2024
Torups Galleri, mars 2024
Venice, May 2024
Luftkastellet, October 2024
Konst i Advent, December 2024
Galleri Engleson, Caroli December 2024
Jäger & Jansson Galleri, April 2025
Utbildning
Autodidakt
Medlem i konstnärsförening
Öppna Sinnen
Med i konstrunda
Konstrundan i Skåne
Utställningar
Luftkastellet, October 2022
Art in Lund, November 2022
Luftkastellet, March 2023
Engleson Gallery Caroli, April 2023
Hydra, Greece June 2023
Engleson Gallery Caroli, October 2023
Toppen, Höllviken December 2023
Luftkastellet, March 2024
Torup Gallery, March 2024
Venice, May 2024