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Jörgen Thornberg
Is this the course to Gustav Adolf's Square, 2022
Digital
50 x 70 cm
3 200 kr
The least seen is the most famous of all ghost ships. Under the command of its enigmatic captain, Edward Smith, the Titanic takes a turn on the world's oceans. As a ghost ship, it doesn't need the rusting hull at the bottom of the sea but sails with a mirage so clear that it looks like it came straight from the shipyard. All the drowned passengers and crew members are along for the ride—1507 souls, along with a few hundred guests from other eras. It's full steam ahead every evening, and the ghosts dance across all the decks and restaurants filled with all the sea's denizens. Since the beginning of time, time-travellers have known that one never has more fun than they make for themselves. The music inside the ship could be heard distinctly and mixed with birds' early chirping from the surrounding trees' bare branches.
Unexpectedly, the Titanic, a ghost ship from another era, appeared. It didn't get further than Fersen's Bridge, much to the surprise of the ship's mate, who had thought he could sail all the way to Gustav Adolf's Square in Malmö. I'm an early morning walker, and on an April day when the sun's rays had already warmed up the park around the canal, it was absolutely windless, and the canal water lay as smooth as a mirror. There she lay, completely still but with the smokestacks smoking. Titanic!
"Ship ahoy - where from, where to?" I shouted to the man in his proud hat who saluted from the bridge. Little did I know, I was about to have a conversation that would forever change my perception of the world.
"Is this the right course to Gustav Adolf's Square?" the captain shouted authoritatively.
"In a way," I shouted ironically, cupping my hands around my mouth to amplify my voice. If you take a good run-up, maybe you can make it through the old cemetery, and then you're there."
"No, thank you," Captain Smith replied, for that was indeed his name, although he was wearing an old-fashioned admiral's hat. "When we're not out sailing, we live in a sea cemetery, so we'll pass. The chart was wrong, so no blame shall fall on the mate," Captain Smith deflected, his words carrying a hint of mystery and a touch of humour.
"Then it's just backing back," I shouted snidely.
"Not necessary. We have more comfortable ways," Captain Smith replied, clapping his hands hard thrice. Immediately, a gust of wind came rushing and rippled the water so that the Titanic's reflection became muddied and disappeared, with it, the whole ship in the next moment.
What could I do? The ship was gone, and I wasn't surprised because it should have gotten stuck at the Park Bridge a bit away. Now, mirages and ghost ships leave no traces; not even a keel stripe remains.
In the world's oceans full of mystery and legends, ships sail not only to reach their destination but many wander without purpose. These latter instil fear and excitement in our souls. Among these ships are those that go beyond ordinary sea adventures and weave in a dimension of the supernatural - the ghost ships. These vessels, surrounded by fog and legend, carry stories that illuminate the unknown and fascinate us with their mysteries.
One such ship that arouses curiosity is the famous ghost ship "Flying Dutchman". It is said that this ship, under the command of the immortal Captain Van der Decken, is cursed to sail the seas forever. According to legend, Van der Decken attempted to sail around the Cape of Good Hope despite the dangers, and when he encountered a violent storm, he swore he would continue trying until God himself said to stop. God responded by condemning him to sail forever. Since then, the "Flying Dutchman" has been seen at sea as a ghostly apparition, and its sight is said to be a curse for those who see it.
But it's not just the "Flying Dutchman" that captures our imagination. In the Caribbean, there is another ghost ship called "Queen Anne's Revenge", known as the pirate Blackbeard's flagship. This ship was said to be filled to the brim with treasures and items from plundered vessels. According to legend, Blackbeard still haunts this ship, and his presence on the deck gives a chilling sense of the past.
Another famous story is that of the "Mary Celeste", a ship found abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean in 1872. The crew had disappeared without a trace, but everything on board, including the food, was intact. There have been many theories about what happened to the crew - from pirates to alien abduction - but the mystery remains unsolved. This has made the "Mary Celeste" one of the most famous ghost ships ever.
But it's not just historical ships that carry supernatural stories. Even modern vessels have their share of charisma. One example is the Japanese ship "Ryou-Un Maru," which became a "ghost ship" after the 2011 tsunami. It drifted across the ocean without a crew or anyone at the helm. It could have become a danger to navigation, but through targeted determination from American authorities, it was eventually towed to deep water and sunk.
Whether they're historical legends or modern mysteries, ghostship stories are captivating. They give us insight into the inexplicable and ignite our imagination. So the next time you stand on the shore and gaze out over the sea, be prepared to be enchanted by the thought of ghost ships sailing through the mists of time, carriers of stories and mysteries from the depths of the sea.
One of the most puzzling cases is the story of the SS Ourang Medan. In 1947, during its journey through the Strait of Malacca, two American ships received a distress call from the Ourang Medan and set out on a rescue mission. The call came from a crew member who announced that everyone else on board was dead, and his words ended strangely with the words, "I die." The rescuers found the ship undamaged, but the entire crew, including the dog, was dead with terrified expressions. Before further investigation could be conducted, the abandoned boat caught fire and exploded. The likely cause could have been overexposure to nitroglycerin, which it was illegally carrying. Other mysteries revolve around stories of paranormal activities and alien invasions.
Another well-known ghost ship is "The Lady Lovibond". An exciting story of love, jealousy, and rage complements the tale of this haunted ship. In 1748, the day before Valentine's Day, it was set to sail to celebrate the ship's captain's wedding. However, his friend, who was in love with her, out of vengeance, steered the ship into the notorious Goodwin Sands, sinking it and killing all on board. Since then, it could be seen every fifty years sailing around Kent. 1798, 1848, 1898, and 1948 witnessed this ship's sightseeing, and some boats had sent out rescuers, assuming it was in distress, but later could not be found. Although there was no confirmed sighting in 1998, this famous ghost ship remains a legend.
The mirage of ghost ships is caused by various factors at sea, despite our brain interpreting light as travelling in a straight line. Refraction, temperature, climate, and light waves all create this illusion of a ship floating above the horizon. Sometimes, the mirage may appear distorted and above the water's surface, leading observers to believe they are witnessing a ghostly apparition. The actual ship might be below the horizon or out of sight on the other side.
A land-based equivalent to this phenomenon is mirages, where water-filled oases seem to materialise in the air despite their non-existence. These optical illusions occur due to similar principles of light refraction and temperature differentials.
According to the IMO Database, in 2020, approximately 438 abandoned ships worldwide and 5767 crews were reported abandoned since 2004. However, since not all missing cases are reported to the IMO, the number of missing and abandoned vessels is likely much higher. This highlights the significant challenges and risks seafarers and the maritime industry face, contributing to the lore and mystery surrounding ghost ships.
Jörgen Thornberg
Is this the course to Gustav Adolf's Square, 2022
Digital
50 x 70 cm
3 200 kr
The least seen is the most famous of all ghost ships. Under the command of its enigmatic captain, Edward Smith, the Titanic takes a turn on the world's oceans. As a ghost ship, it doesn't need the rusting hull at the bottom of the sea but sails with a mirage so clear that it looks like it came straight from the shipyard. All the drowned passengers and crew members are along for the ride—1507 souls, along with a few hundred guests from other eras. It's full steam ahead every evening, and the ghosts dance across all the decks and restaurants filled with all the sea's denizens. Since the beginning of time, time-travellers have known that one never has more fun than they make for themselves. The music inside the ship could be heard distinctly and mixed with birds' early chirping from the surrounding trees' bare branches.
Unexpectedly, the Titanic, a ghost ship from another era, appeared. It didn't get further than Fersen's Bridge, much to the surprise of the ship's mate, who had thought he could sail all the way to Gustav Adolf's Square in Malmö. I'm an early morning walker, and on an April day when the sun's rays had already warmed up the park around the canal, it was absolutely windless, and the canal water lay as smooth as a mirror. There she lay, completely still but with the smokestacks smoking. Titanic!
"Ship ahoy - where from, where to?" I shouted to the man in his proud hat who saluted from the bridge. Little did I know, I was about to have a conversation that would forever change my perception of the world.
"Is this the right course to Gustav Adolf's Square?" the captain shouted authoritatively.
"In a way," I shouted ironically, cupping my hands around my mouth to amplify my voice. If you take a good run-up, maybe you can make it through the old cemetery, and then you're there."
"No, thank you," Captain Smith replied, for that was indeed his name, although he was wearing an old-fashioned admiral's hat. "When we're not out sailing, we live in a sea cemetery, so we'll pass. The chart was wrong, so no blame shall fall on the mate," Captain Smith deflected, his words carrying a hint of mystery and a touch of humour.
"Then it's just backing back," I shouted snidely.
"Not necessary. We have more comfortable ways," Captain Smith replied, clapping his hands hard thrice. Immediately, a gust of wind came rushing and rippled the water so that the Titanic's reflection became muddied and disappeared, with it, the whole ship in the next moment.
What could I do? The ship was gone, and I wasn't surprised because it should have gotten stuck at the Park Bridge a bit away. Now, mirages and ghost ships leave no traces; not even a keel stripe remains.
In the world's oceans full of mystery and legends, ships sail not only to reach their destination but many wander without purpose. These latter instil fear and excitement in our souls. Among these ships are those that go beyond ordinary sea adventures and weave in a dimension of the supernatural - the ghost ships. These vessels, surrounded by fog and legend, carry stories that illuminate the unknown and fascinate us with their mysteries.
One such ship that arouses curiosity is the famous ghost ship "Flying Dutchman". It is said that this ship, under the command of the immortal Captain Van der Decken, is cursed to sail the seas forever. According to legend, Van der Decken attempted to sail around the Cape of Good Hope despite the dangers, and when he encountered a violent storm, he swore he would continue trying until God himself said to stop. God responded by condemning him to sail forever. Since then, the "Flying Dutchman" has been seen at sea as a ghostly apparition, and its sight is said to be a curse for those who see it.
But it's not just the "Flying Dutchman" that captures our imagination. In the Caribbean, there is another ghost ship called "Queen Anne's Revenge", known as the pirate Blackbeard's flagship. This ship was said to be filled to the brim with treasures and items from plundered vessels. According to legend, Blackbeard still haunts this ship, and his presence on the deck gives a chilling sense of the past.
Another famous story is that of the "Mary Celeste", a ship found abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean in 1872. The crew had disappeared without a trace, but everything on board, including the food, was intact. There have been many theories about what happened to the crew - from pirates to alien abduction - but the mystery remains unsolved. This has made the "Mary Celeste" one of the most famous ghost ships ever.
But it's not just historical ships that carry supernatural stories. Even modern vessels have their share of charisma. One example is the Japanese ship "Ryou-Un Maru," which became a "ghost ship" after the 2011 tsunami. It drifted across the ocean without a crew or anyone at the helm. It could have become a danger to navigation, but through targeted determination from American authorities, it was eventually towed to deep water and sunk.
Whether they're historical legends or modern mysteries, ghostship stories are captivating. They give us insight into the inexplicable and ignite our imagination. So the next time you stand on the shore and gaze out over the sea, be prepared to be enchanted by the thought of ghost ships sailing through the mists of time, carriers of stories and mysteries from the depths of the sea.
One of the most puzzling cases is the story of the SS Ourang Medan. In 1947, during its journey through the Strait of Malacca, two American ships received a distress call from the Ourang Medan and set out on a rescue mission. The call came from a crew member who announced that everyone else on board was dead, and his words ended strangely with the words, "I die." The rescuers found the ship undamaged, but the entire crew, including the dog, was dead with terrified expressions. Before further investigation could be conducted, the abandoned boat caught fire and exploded. The likely cause could have been overexposure to nitroglycerin, which it was illegally carrying. Other mysteries revolve around stories of paranormal activities and alien invasions.
Another well-known ghost ship is "The Lady Lovibond". An exciting story of love, jealousy, and rage complements the tale of this haunted ship. In 1748, the day before Valentine's Day, it was set to sail to celebrate the ship's captain's wedding. However, his friend, who was in love with her, out of vengeance, steered the ship into the notorious Goodwin Sands, sinking it and killing all on board. Since then, it could be seen every fifty years sailing around Kent. 1798, 1848, 1898, and 1948 witnessed this ship's sightseeing, and some boats had sent out rescuers, assuming it was in distress, but later could not be found. Although there was no confirmed sighting in 1998, this famous ghost ship remains a legend.
The mirage of ghost ships is caused by various factors at sea, despite our brain interpreting light as travelling in a straight line. Refraction, temperature, climate, and light waves all create this illusion of a ship floating above the horizon. Sometimes, the mirage may appear distorted and above the water's surface, leading observers to believe they are witnessing a ghostly apparition. The actual ship might be below the horizon or out of sight on the other side.
A land-based equivalent to this phenomenon is mirages, where water-filled oases seem to materialise in the air despite their non-existence. These optical illusions occur due to similar principles of light refraction and temperature differentials.
According to the IMO Database, in 2020, approximately 438 abandoned ships worldwide and 5767 crews were reported abandoned since 2004. However, since not all missing cases are reported to the IMO, the number of missing and abandoned vessels is likely much higher. This highlights the significant challenges and risks seafarers and the maritime industry face, contributing to the lore and mystery surrounding ghost ships.
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