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Jörgen Thornberg
The Old Man in the Sky - Reflections of an Old Fisherman on Hydra, 2023
Digital
50 x 70 cm
"Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one home safely to me."
In the sky above Peloponnesos, I envision an older man with bushy eyebrows and a moustache. He seems to speak to us down here on Hydra, and I find myself captivated by his tales. This man, a weathered fisherman who had spent his entire life on Hydra's shores, shares his wisdom. In a time when little was certain other than the need to put food on the table for the family every day, he found solace and guidance in the beauty of sunsets. His story resonates with me, reminding me of the power of nature to heal and inspire.
"Sunsets signify much more than the end of the day, especially during hard times. They offer people the chance to relax, unwind, and enjoy the moment," he says.
"Life as we know it is full of ups and downs; nothing is seemingly constant in this ever-changing world. Amid times of plague and pandemics, our old lives seem so far behind us. However, although it doesn't seem like it, our everyday lives aren't as distant as many think. There are still plenty of aspects of life pre-pandemic that exist every day. One in particular occurs at the end of each day.
Every evening, regardless of our location or circumstances, the sky dims as the sun begins to sink below the horizon. Some days, the sky is filled with clouds, their soft edges blurring the sun's descent, but on other days, the sky is a canvas painted with various hues, ranging from the warm yellows of a ripe peach to the rich golds of a king's treasure, and sometimes, if we're lucky, the vibrant pinks and purples of a fairy's dream. The sun always sets no matter where we are, good or bad. This event is a universal reminder of the normalcy in our lives, and a lot can be learned and discovered about life and oneself by simply looking up at the sky each night.
He pauses, gazing out at the horizon.
"The science behind these beautiful phenomena is fascinating; the best sunsets occur during fall and winter. The most vivid sunsets happen with a clean, lower atmosphere. Pollution limits the amount of light beams allowed to travel through the atmosphere, so more urban areas with dust particles or other forms of built-up matter will experience less brilliant sunsets than those of less populated, more rural areas.
The sun's light is composed of all the colours on the rainbow spectrum. As the sun slowly sinks into the horizon, its light beams must pass through a thicker atmospheric layer than during the day. This shields the blue light from our eyes and allows more orange and red light to be seen.
The cloud layer plays a considerable role in setting the sun. The placement of the clouds in the upper or lower level reflects how we view the sunset. If the clouds are too low in the evening sky, they will cover our view of the sunset. When the clouds are placed just right, the vibrant hues of the sky will reflect off the clouds, allowing us to see these amazing colours on a particular night.
He smiles wistfully.
"Beyond being a natural phenomenon, the sun's setting symbolises many things to various people and cultures.
The sun's setting represents the completion of a day's work and the opportunity to rest. In Chinese culture, the sun and moon are seen as dualistic, showing two opposite forces coming together and complementing each other. The sun, day, moon, and night can be viewed as yin and yang. When one ends, another begins, and the moon rises.
In some African cultures, the sunset and moon rising show a life cycle from birth to adulthood, to death, and finally to being reborn when the sun rises the following day. It is an endless cycle.
For the old man in the sky, sunsets have been a grounding force, especially during the pandemic. This year has been very challenging. Finding any sense of normalcy has been a struggle. This is when I started looking for sunsets. It gave him something to look forward to each day, something I knew would always come, something to be excited about.
Sunsets remind us that no matter how good or bad the day is, it always comes to an end and that the bad moments never last forever. They remind us that even though life seems so out of control and fast-paced, there are constants to fall back on and enjoy. Watching the sunset brings peace and serenity, inspiring us to find value in the little things and reminding us that life is full of beautiful moments amidst all the changes. It's a moment to unwind, meditate, plan out future goals and aspirations, or think, leaving us inspired and uplifted.
Enjoying the sunset has also been proven to have health benefits besides being a mindfulness technique. According to Psychology Today, admiring nature for its natural beauty can enhance the well-being of many. Additionally, humans naturally tend to stop and admire beauty when they spot it, such as sunsets. Stopping and admiring this beauty causes us to forget our worries and focus on nature's beautiful phenomena.
Amidst life's hardships and stressors, stepping back and finding moments of tranquillity is crucial. Watching the sunset in the evening is a perfect way to unwind after a long day. It's a time to reflect on the past, be present in the moment, and envision the future. Enjoying the beautiful hues of the sunset is not just a treat for the eyes but also a balm for the mind, body, and soul. It's a simple yet powerful practice that can bring a sense of calm and rejuvenation, even in the most challenging times."
The old man pauses, looking down at the sea.
"Rules of thumb for weather, except those for winds, are seldom accurate. The line between a rule of thumb and pure prophecy can be thin. It's also a misconception that all weather sayings come from the Farmers' Almanac. Most weather signs with sting and some truth come from Nordic folklore, passed down orally. One of the oldest weather signs that can be considered a rule of thumb originally comes from the Bible (Matt. 16:2-3). 'When evening comes, you say, "It will be fair weather, for the sky is red," and in the morning, "Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast." There are several modern variations: 'Red sky at night, shepherd's delight. Red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning.' The colour of the sky at the beginning and end of the day informs fishermen and farmers about whether it will rain the next day."
"The great ocean-going Englishmen are naturally more interested in the wind. Hence: 'Red sun at night, sailor's delight. Red sun in the morning, sailor's warning.' The weather signs clearly state that the upcoming weather will be completely different depending on whether the sunrise or sunset colours the sky red. A red sunrise brings rain and wind, and a low-pressure system is on its way; while a red sunset promises continued good weather, the high-pressure system remains. Explaining the connection meteorologically and physiologically is not always straightforward. Weather in Scandinavia, influenced by the North Atlantic and North Sea, doesn't behave the same way around the Mediterranean with North Africa and the Near East's land masses surrounding it. The long-distance sailor in the trade winds interprets the sky's colours differently. 'When the sun goes down in a sack, it will rise in a stream.' This weather sign talks about the clouds and weather at the beginning and end of the day. Combined with the colour of the sky, the prediction can become more accurate. The hues of the sun and moon tell us quite a bit about the atmosphere. Usually, the sun is red when it sets and orange or yellow when it rises."
He smiled, eyes twinkling with memories as he finished his tale.
The old man fell silent. After a while, he began humming "Red Sails in the Sunset," a timeless love song.
Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one home safely to me
She sailed at the dawning; all day, I've been blue
Red sails in the sunset; I'm trusting in you
Swift wings, you must borrow
Make straight for the shore
We marry tomorrow
And she goes sailing no more
Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one home safely to me
"This song came long after my time, but up there, we listen to all eras, and this song found its way to my heart. In the cosmos, sunsets and sunrises are ongoing," he said. "Nostalgia strains the mind," said James Kennedy, the song's composer, when I met him on Orion, and we had experienced eight sunsets in a row. He told me how one evening during the mid-1930s, a boat was sailing off the resort of Portstewart amid a magnificent sunset. Jimmy, as he is called up there, saw the sloop's white sails take on the colour of the setting sun. The image inspired the lyrics for 'Red Sails in the Sunset,' the songwriter's biggest hit. 'Red Sails' is a love song in which the anxious singer's sweetheart is aboard the sloop, returning for their wedding. 'Red sails in the sunset/ Way out on the sea,' goes the chorus. 'Oh, carry my loved one/ Home safely to me.'
'Sail off into the sunset' depicts a journey into the unknown and is often used metaphorically."
The old man smiled, eyes twinkling with the memories of countless sunsets, each a story, a moment of reflection, a promise of tomorrow.
Jörgen Thornberg
The Old Man in the Sky - Reflections of an Old Fisherman on Hydra, 2023
Digital
50 x 70 cm
"Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one home safely to me."
In the sky above Peloponnesos, I envision an older man with bushy eyebrows and a moustache. He seems to speak to us down here on Hydra, and I find myself captivated by his tales. This man, a weathered fisherman who had spent his entire life on Hydra's shores, shares his wisdom. In a time when little was certain other than the need to put food on the table for the family every day, he found solace and guidance in the beauty of sunsets. His story resonates with me, reminding me of the power of nature to heal and inspire.
"Sunsets signify much more than the end of the day, especially during hard times. They offer people the chance to relax, unwind, and enjoy the moment," he says.
"Life as we know it is full of ups and downs; nothing is seemingly constant in this ever-changing world. Amid times of plague and pandemics, our old lives seem so far behind us. However, although it doesn't seem like it, our everyday lives aren't as distant as many think. There are still plenty of aspects of life pre-pandemic that exist every day. One in particular occurs at the end of each day.
Every evening, regardless of our location or circumstances, the sky dims as the sun begins to sink below the horizon. Some days, the sky is filled with clouds, their soft edges blurring the sun's descent, but on other days, the sky is a canvas painted with various hues, ranging from the warm yellows of a ripe peach to the rich golds of a king's treasure, and sometimes, if we're lucky, the vibrant pinks and purples of a fairy's dream. The sun always sets no matter where we are, good or bad. This event is a universal reminder of the normalcy in our lives, and a lot can be learned and discovered about life and oneself by simply looking up at the sky each night.
He pauses, gazing out at the horizon.
"The science behind these beautiful phenomena is fascinating; the best sunsets occur during fall and winter. The most vivid sunsets happen with a clean, lower atmosphere. Pollution limits the amount of light beams allowed to travel through the atmosphere, so more urban areas with dust particles or other forms of built-up matter will experience less brilliant sunsets than those of less populated, more rural areas.
The sun's light is composed of all the colours on the rainbow spectrum. As the sun slowly sinks into the horizon, its light beams must pass through a thicker atmospheric layer than during the day. This shields the blue light from our eyes and allows more orange and red light to be seen.
The cloud layer plays a considerable role in setting the sun. The placement of the clouds in the upper or lower level reflects how we view the sunset. If the clouds are too low in the evening sky, they will cover our view of the sunset. When the clouds are placed just right, the vibrant hues of the sky will reflect off the clouds, allowing us to see these amazing colours on a particular night.
He smiles wistfully.
"Beyond being a natural phenomenon, the sun's setting symbolises many things to various people and cultures.
The sun's setting represents the completion of a day's work and the opportunity to rest. In Chinese culture, the sun and moon are seen as dualistic, showing two opposite forces coming together and complementing each other. The sun, day, moon, and night can be viewed as yin and yang. When one ends, another begins, and the moon rises.
In some African cultures, the sunset and moon rising show a life cycle from birth to adulthood, to death, and finally to being reborn when the sun rises the following day. It is an endless cycle.
For the old man in the sky, sunsets have been a grounding force, especially during the pandemic. This year has been very challenging. Finding any sense of normalcy has been a struggle. This is when I started looking for sunsets. It gave him something to look forward to each day, something I knew would always come, something to be excited about.
Sunsets remind us that no matter how good or bad the day is, it always comes to an end and that the bad moments never last forever. They remind us that even though life seems so out of control and fast-paced, there are constants to fall back on and enjoy. Watching the sunset brings peace and serenity, inspiring us to find value in the little things and reminding us that life is full of beautiful moments amidst all the changes. It's a moment to unwind, meditate, plan out future goals and aspirations, or think, leaving us inspired and uplifted.
Enjoying the sunset has also been proven to have health benefits besides being a mindfulness technique. According to Psychology Today, admiring nature for its natural beauty can enhance the well-being of many. Additionally, humans naturally tend to stop and admire beauty when they spot it, such as sunsets. Stopping and admiring this beauty causes us to forget our worries and focus on nature's beautiful phenomena.
Amidst life's hardships and stressors, stepping back and finding moments of tranquillity is crucial. Watching the sunset in the evening is a perfect way to unwind after a long day. It's a time to reflect on the past, be present in the moment, and envision the future. Enjoying the beautiful hues of the sunset is not just a treat for the eyes but also a balm for the mind, body, and soul. It's a simple yet powerful practice that can bring a sense of calm and rejuvenation, even in the most challenging times."
The old man pauses, looking down at the sea.
"Rules of thumb for weather, except those for winds, are seldom accurate. The line between a rule of thumb and pure prophecy can be thin. It's also a misconception that all weather sayings come from the Farmers' Almanac. Most weather signs with sting and some truth come from Nordic folklore, passed down orally. One of the oldest weather signs that can be considered a rule of thumb originally comes from the Bible (Matt. 16:2-3). 'When evening comes, you say, "It will be fair weather, for the sky is red," and in the morning, "Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast." There are several modern variations: 'Red sky at night, shepherd's delight. Red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning.' The colour of the sky at the beginning and end of the day informs fishermen and farmers about whether it will rain the next day."
"The great ocean-going Englishmen are naturally more interested in the wind. Hence: 'Red sun at night, sailor's delight. Red sun in the morning, sailor's warning.' The weather signs clearly state that the upcoming weather will be completely different depending on whether the sunrise or sunset colours the sky red. A red sunrise brings rain and wind, and a low-pressure system is on its way; while a red sunset promises continued good weather, the high-pressure system remains. Explaining the connection meteorologically and physiologically is not always straightforward. Weather in Scandinavia, influenced by the North Atlantic and North Sea, doesn't behave the same way around the Mediterranean with North Africa and the Near East's land masses surrounding it. The long-distance sailor in the trade winds interprets the sky's colours differently. 'When the sun goes down in a sack, it will rise in a stream.' This weather sign talks about the clouds and weather at the beginning and end of the day. Combined with the colour of the sky, the prediction can become more accurate. The hues of the sun and moon tell us quite a bit about the atmosphere. Usually, the sun is red when it sets and orange or yellow when it rises."
He smiled, eyes twinkling with memories as he finished his tale.
The old man fell silent. After a while, he began humming "Red Sails in the Sunset," a timeless love song.
Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one home safely to me
She sailed at the dawning; all day, I've been blue
Red sails in the sunset; I'm trusting in you
Swift wings, you must borrow
Make straight for the shore
We marry tomorrow
And she goes sailing no more
Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea
Oh, carry my loved one home safely to me
"This song came long after my time, but up there, we listen to all eras, and this song found its way to my heart. In the cosmos, sunsets and sunrises are ongoing," he said. "Nostalgia strains the mind," said James Kennedy, the song's composer, when I met him on Orion, and we had experienced eight sunsets in a row. He told me how one evening during the mid-1930s, a boat was sailing off the resort of Portstewart amid a magnificent sunset. Jimmy, as he is called up there, saw the sloop's white sails take on the colour of the setting sun. The image inspired the lyrics for 'Red Sails in the Sunset,' the songwriter's biggest hit. 'Red Sails' is a love song in which the anxious singer's sweetheart is aboard the sloop, returning for their wedding. 'Red sails in the sunset/ Way out on the sea,' goes the chorus. 'Oh, carry my loved one/ Home safely to me.'
'Sail off into the sunset' depicts a journey into the unknown and is often used metaphorically."
The old man smiled, eyes twinkling with the memories of countless sunsets, each a story, a moment of reflection, a promise of tomorrow.
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