Vi använder cookies för att ge dig bästa möjliga upplevelse. Välj vilka cookies du tillåter.
Läs mer i vår integritetspolicy
Jörgen Thornberg
The Thieving Magpie, 2023
Digital
50 x 70 cm
Opera Libretto: " La gazza ladra da Hydra"
Act I
Scene 1: Donkey Shit Lane, Hydra
Chorus:
In the sunny lanes of Donkey Shit Lane,
The baker Apollo and his wife Penelope dwell,
With Venus, their maid, who works with such grace,
But trouble brews, and a mystery unfolds.
Venus (soprano):
Oh, Konstantinos, my heart longs for thee,
To return from war, safe and sound to me.
But Penelope, dear mistress, disapproves,
Of my secret love, which my heart behooves.
Apollo Vingradito (bass):
My wife, our home is in disarray,
Your red bras are stolen, causing dismay.
Who could be the thief, so bold and sly,
To climb so high and make our hearts sigh?
Penelope (mezzo-soprano):
This thief ignores Apollo's underclothes
and steals only my red bras, as nobody knows.
From our high terrace, the thefts do occur,
Who is this climber who causes such a stir?
Scene 2: Roloi Tavern, under the church tower
Chorus:
At Roloi Tavern, where villagers convene,
Konstantinos and Atlas, with beers so serene.
They chat and laugh, enjoying the day,
When a magpie swoops down, stealing away.
Konstantinos (tenor):
Did you see that Atlas, quick and keen,
That magpie stole a silver coin unseen.
Into the clock tower, it swiftly flew,
With my coin, what shall we do?
Atlas (contralto):
We'll catch the bird, uncover the plot,
For this magpie's thievery must be caught.
But first, let's drink for the courage we need,
To face this thief and succeed.
Scene 3: Apollo's Terrace
Chorus:
High above the bustling street,
Penelope's laundry hangs so neat.
Yet someone climbs, under night's veil,
A thief who makes Penelope wail.
Nicholas Villabella (bass-baritone):
Venus, my daughter, I come to thee,
Deserted from the army, I seek your plea.
Sell this silver spoon and hide the gold,
For my escape, a tale untold.
Venus:
Father dear, I'll help you stay free,
But trouble stirs, as you can see.
The mayor's coming; hide with haste,
Lest we both be caught in disgrace.
Giorgios, the Mayor (bass):
Venus, fair maid, your help I seek,
With this document, my curiosity's pique.
Translate for me; these lines are so grand,
And I shall reward you, as planned.
Venus:
(Takes the document and reads it discreetly)
Oh dear, it's an arrest warrant, I see,
But not for my father; I'll ensure he's free.
Mayor, it says, a thief to find,
In the market, of a different kind.
Act II
Scene 1: The Town Square
Chorus:
The town square buzzes; the trial is near,
Venus stands accused, trembling in fear.
The missing silver spoon, the mayor's decree,
And her father's fate, intertwined, they see.
Penelope:
You stole my silver, my red bras too,
Venus, what say you, this cannot be true.
Venus:
I swear my innocence; I did no wrong,
But my father's safety, my heart's lifelong.
Here's the money for the silver sold,
It fell from my hands, uncontrolled.
Giorgios:
Aha, Nicholas, your name she bears,
You deceived me; how she dares.
Arrest her now for lies and theft,
Her innocence, she has bereft.
Apollo:
Wait, my son has news to share,
He brings the truth to clear the air.
Scene 2: The Harbor
Chorus:
Venus stands at the harbour's edge,
Deportation, her heart does dread.
Her father, too, faces the law,
A deserter was caught in this tragic draw.
Konstantinos:
Venus, my love, hold firm and true,
I'll prove your innocence, for you I'll pursue.
Nicholas:
Release my daughter, her honour bright,
I am the one who fled the fight.
But even so, her hands are clean,
Free her now from this cruel scene.
Atlas:
(Enters, breathless and urgent)
Wait, I have news, a magpie scold,
It stole my coin, the truth now told.
In the clock tower, the silver lies,
And Penelope's bras, to our surprise.
Giorgios:
If this be true, let justice be clear,
Venus is free, Nicholas, we'll spare.
The magpie is the thief, we now see,
Venus, you're innocent; you're free.
Scene 3: The Clock Tower
Chorus:
At the clock tower, they gather around,
The stolen goods were finally found.
Venus and Konstantinos, love's embrace,
Nicholas was pardoned by the mayor's grace.
Apollo:
Our home is restored; no more dismay,
Justice served on this bright day.
Penelope:
Forgive my doubts, Venus, dear,
You're part of our family, and welcome here.
Finale:
Chorus:
And so on Hydra, peace returns,
With lessons learned and justice earned.
A magpie's mischief brought to light,
Restores the love, shining bright.
Venus:
With Konstantinos, my heart's delight,
We face the future, shining bright.
Konstantinos:
Together forever, come what may,
Our love grows stronger day by day.
Penelope:
But Penelope now feels shame,
For falsely accusing, bringing ill fame.
Her red underclothes, a secret no more,
Exposed to the town, her reputation was sore.
The customers whisper and glance her way,
As she works in the bakery, day by day.
Apollo:
But let's bring joy, a wedding we'll make,
To celebrate love, for everyone's sake.
A grand celebration for all to see,
Penelope's burden, will lighter be.
Chorus:
The baker's wedding, a grand affair,
With music and laughter filling the air.
On Donkey Shit Lane, stories they'll tell,
Of how love and justice, together dwell.
Chorus:
The poor magpie, who loved red lingerie,
Caught in the act, she had to flee away.
From the cathedral's tower to a church in Kiafa,
A dome so grand, a new home for the pair.
Chorus:
In this new church, they lived in peace,
Only once a year, people would feast.
The magpie and her mate, in quiet delight,
Could enjoy the red sets, out of sight.
Penelope:
Penelope, ashamed, threw the red away,
Not wanting to share with the magpie, no way.
Ten complete sets, in the trash they'd go,
For the magpie's mate to find, bringing joy, just so.
Chorus:
Order restored, in the streets of Hydra,
A lesson learned: love and laughter are sweeter.
The Magpie's Tale, a twist of fate,
For a decade or two, their joy will stay great.
Curtain falls
Venus, Apollo's servant (soprano)
Apollo Vingradito, a rich baker (bass)
Penelope, his wife (mezzo-soprano)
Konstantinos, his son, a soldier (tenor)
Nicholas Villabella, Venus' father (bass-baritone)
Giorgios, the village mayor (bass)
Atlas, a young farmer (contralto)
Sergios, the mayor's servant (bass)
Theodore (tenor)
Antonis, the jailer (tenor)
Aleks, a soldier (bass)
Freely adapted from Rossini's opera "La gazza ladra"
Gioachino Rossini, born on February 29, 1792, in Pesaro, Italy, was a prolific and influential composer of the early 19th century. Renowned for his operas, Rossini became one of the leading figures of the bel canto style, emphasising beautiful, expressive singing.
"La gazza ladra" (The Thieving Magpie) premiered on May 31, 1817, at La Scala in Milan. This opera is a melodrama in two acts, with a libretto by Giovanni Gherardini. It is best known for its overture, which remains popular in the concert repertoire. The opera itself tells the story of a servant girl falsely accused of theft, only for it to be revealed that the true culprit was a magpie.
Rossini's music is characterised by its lively rhythms, beautiful melodies, and masterful orchestration. His operas, including "The Barber of Seville," "William Tell," and "Cinderella," have secured his legacy as one of the greatest opera composers in history. Rossini retired from composing operas at the height of his career, but his works continue to be celebrated and performed worldwide.
Jörgen Thornberg
The Thieving Magpie, 2023
Digital
50 x 70 cm
Opera Libretto: " La gazza ladra da Hydra"
Act I
Scene 1: Donkey Shit Lane, Hydra
Chorus:
In the sunny lanes of Donkey Shit Lane,
The baker Apollo and his wife Penelope dwell,
With Venus, their maid, who works with such grace,
But trouble brews, and a mystery unfolds.
Venus (soprano):
Oh, Konstantinos, my heart longs for thee,
To return from war, safe and sound to me.
But Penelope, dear mistress, disapproves,
Of my secret love, which my heart behooves.
Apollo Vingradito (bass):
My wife, our home is in disarray,
Your red bras are stolen, causing dismay.
Who could be the thief, so bold and sly,
To climb so high and make our hearts sigh?
Penelope (mezzo-soprano):
This thief ignores Apollo's underclothes
and steals only my red bras, as nobody knows.
From our high terrace, the thefts do occur,
Who is this climber who causes such a stir?
Scene 2: Roloi Tavern, under the church tower
Chorus:
At Roloi Tavern, where villagers convene,
Konstantinos and Atlas, with beers so serene.
They chat and laugh, enjoying the day,
When a magpie swoops down, stealing away.
Konstantinos (tenor):
Did you see that Atlas, quick and keen,
That magpie stole a silver coin unseen.
Into the clock tower, it swiftly flew,
With my coin, what shall we do?
Atlas (contralto):
We'll catch the bird, uncover the plot,
For this magpie's thievery must be caught.
But first, let's drink for the courage we need,
To face this thief and succeed.
Scene 3: Apollo's Terrace
Chorus:
High above the bustling street,
Penelope's laundry hangs so neat.
Yet someone climbs, under night's veil,
A thief who makes Penelope wail.
Nicholas Villabella (bass-baritone):
Venus, my daughter, I come to thee,
Deserted from the army, I seek your plea.
Sell this silver spoon and hide the gold,
For my escape, a tale untold.
Venus:
Father dear, I'll help you stay free,
But trouble stirs, as you can see.
The mayor's coming; hide with haste,
Lest we both be caught in disgrace.
Giorgios, the Mayor (bass):
Venus, fair maid, your help I seek,
With this document, my curiosity's pique.
Translate for me; these lines are so grand,
And I shall reward you, as planned.
Venus:
(Takes the document and reads it discreetly)
Oh dear, it's an arrest warrant, I see,
But not for my father; I'll ensure he's free.
Mayor, it says, a thief to find,
In the market, of a different kind.
Act II
Scene 1: The Town Square
Chorus:
The town square buzzes; the trial is near,
Venus stands accused, trembling in fear.
The missing silver spoon, the mayor's decree,
And her father's fate, intertwined, they see.
Penelope:
You stole my silver, my red bras too,
Venus, what say you, this cannot be true.
Venus:
I swear my innocence; I did no wrong,
But my father's safety, my heart's lifelong.
Here's the money for the silver sold,
It fell from my hands, uncontrolled.
Giorgios:
Aha, Nicholas, your name she bears,
You deceived me; how she dares.
Arrest her now for lies and theft,
Her innocence, she has bereft.
Apollo:
Wait, my son has news to share,
He brings the truth to clear the air.
Scene 2: The Harbor
Chorus:
Venus stands at the harbour's edge,
Deportation, her heart does dread.
Her father, too, faces the law,
A deserter was caught in this tragic draw.
Konstantinos:
Venus, my love, hold firm and true,
I'll prove your innocence, for you I'll pursue.
Nicholas:
Release my daughter, her honour bright,
I am the one who fled the fight.
But even so, her hands are clean,
Free her now from this cruel scene.
Atlas:
(Enters, breathless and urgent)
Wait, I have news, a magpie scold,
It stole my coin, the truth now told.
In the clock tower, the silver lies,
And Penelope's bras, to our surprise.
Giorgios:
If this be true, let justice be clear,
Venus is free, Nicholas, we'll spare.
The magpie is the thief, we now see,
Venus, you're innocent; you're free.
Scene 3: The Clock Tower
Chorus:
At the clock tower, they gather around,
The stolen goods were finally found.
Venus and Konstantinos, love's embrace,
Nicholas was pardoned by the mayor's grace.
Apollo:
Our home is restored; no more dismay,
Justice served on this bright day.
Penelope:
Forgive my doubts, Venus, dear,
You're part of our family, and welcome here.
Finale:
Chorus:
And so on Hydra, peace returns,
With lessons learned and justice earned.
A magpie's mischief brought to light,
Restores the love, shining bright.
Venus:
With Konstantinos, my heart's delight,
We face the future, shining bright.
Konstantinos:
Together forever, come what may,
Our love grows stronger day by day.
Penelope:
But Penelope now feels shame,
For falsely accusing, bringing ill fame.
Her red underclothes, a secret no more,
Exposed to the town, her reputation was sore.
The customers whisper and glance her way,
As she works in the bakery, day by day.
Apollo:
But let's bring joy, a wedding we'll make,
To celebrate love, for everyone's sake.
A grand celebration for all to see,
Penelope's burden, will lighter be.
Chorus:
The baker's wedding, a grand affair,
With music and laughter filling the air.
On Donkey Shit Lane, stories they'll tell,
Of how love and justice, together dwell.
Chorus:
The poor magpie, who loved red lingerie,
Caught in the act, she had to flee away.
From the cathedral's tower to a church in Kiafa,
A dome so grand, a new home for the pair.
Chorus:
In this new church, they lived in peace,
Only once a year, people would feast.
The magpie and her mate, in quiet delight,
Could enjoy the red sets, out of sight.
Penelope:
Penelope, ashamed, threw the red away,
Not wanting to share with the magpie, no way.
Ten complete sets, in the trash they'd go,
For the magpie's mate to find, bringing joy, just so.
Chorus:
Order restored, in the streets of Hydra,
A lesson learned: love and laughter are sweeter.
The Magpie's Tale, a twist of fate,
For a decade or two, their joy will stay great.
Curtain falls
Venus, Apollo's servant (soprano)
Apollo Vingradito, a rich baker (bass)
Penelope, his wife (mezzo-soprano)
Konstantinos, his son, a soldier (tenor)
Nicholas Villabella, Venus' father (bass-baritone)
Giorgios, the village mayor (bass)
Atlas, a young farmer (contralto)
Sergios, the mayor's servant (bass)
Theodore (tenor)
Antonis, the jailer (tenor)
Aleks, a soldier (bass)
Freely adapted from Rossini's opera "La gazza ladra"
Gioachino Rossini, born on February 29, 1792, in Pesaro, Italy, was a prolific and influential composer of the early 19th century. Renowned for his operas, Rossini became one of the leading figures of the bel canto style, emphasising beautiful, expressive singing.
"La gazza ladra" (The Thieving Magpie) premiered on May 31, 1817, at La Scala in Milan. This opera is a melodrama in two acts, with a libretto by Giovanni Gherardini. It is best known for its overture, which remains popular in the concert repertoire. The opera itself tells the story of a servant girl falsely accused of theft, only for it to be revealed that the true culprit was a magpie.
Rossini's music is characterised by its lively rhythms, beautiful melodies, and masterful orchestration. His operas, including "The Barber of Seville," "William Tell," and "Cinderella," have secured his legacy as one of the greatest opera composers in history. Rossini retired from composing operas at the height of his career, but his works continue to be celebrated and performed worldwide.
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