H. John Thompson, M.F.A.

Astronaut #3, Astronaut Faces Series, 8in x 10 1/2in, Collage, 2015

Image: H. John Thompson

Education

M.F.A. Fine Arts, University of the Arts, Philadelphia PA
B.A. Integrative Arts, Penn State Abington College, Abington PA

Research Interests

I’m most interested in vernacular modes of making and maintaining the spaces in which we live. My artwork and research centers on the history of American suburban development as a reflection of class structures and common ideals.  Homebuilding and renovation, over time, tell the story of developing industrial technologies and changes in visual culture. Using humor and sentimentality, my artwork tells the stories of eccentric work habits and local mythologies.  The impetus of many of these stories is autobiographical, and reflects moments of discovery and growth by a physical connection to the world through materials.

Selected Recent Exhibitions

2017 “Trouble Light” Napoleon Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2016  Lost In Transit, SOIL Gallery, Seattle, WA
2016 Far More Real: NAPOLEON Collective at COOP, COOP Gallery, Nashville,TN
2015 Other Selections The Center for Art in Wood, Philadelphia, PA
2015 Traction Company The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2014 The Woodmere Annual: 73rd Juried Exhibition, Woodmere Art Museum, Chestnut Hill, PA
2014 “Holding Our Own” Napoleon Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2013 “As First as Exactly” Traction Company, Philadelphia PA
2013 “COLLECTION” Vox Populi, Philadelphia PA
2012 “Other Pieces of Spaces, NAPOLEON Gallery, Philadelphia PA
2012 “There’s A Place” Hicks Art Center Gallery, Newtown PA
2011 “Making Place” President’s Gallery, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia PA
2009 “Richard Dreyfuss” Graduate Thesis Exhibition, Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery
Philadelphia PA
2009 “Dave and Jim” The University of the Arts Public Art Initiative,
Philadelphia PA
2009 “New Faces” Emerging Philadelphia Artists, City Hall, Philadelphia PA

Curatorial Projects

2017 “Immigration Now” (Co-curator) Penn State Abington Art Gallery, Abington, PA
2016 “Lost in Transit” (Co-curator) SOIL Gallery, Seattle, WA
2016 “Destinations Without Locations” (Co-curator) Penn State Abington Art Gallery, Abington, PA
2015 “Matthew Colaizzo: Locality” Napoleon Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2014 “Kris Strawser: Switch” Napoleon Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2012 “Big and Little” Charity Exhibition and Sale to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Pennsylvania. NAPOLEON Gallery, Philadelphia PA
2012 “The Herd” by Tasha Lewis, NAPOLEON GALLERY, Philadelphia, PA

Teaching Interests and Courses Taught

Introduction to Art (ART001)
Introduction to Drawing (ART020)
Introduction to Sculpture (ART030)

Publications

2014 Jia, Olivia. “John Thompson: Holding Our Own.” Title-Magazine.com. 20 Nov. 2014. Web. 28 Nov. 2014
2014 Fallon, Roberta. “Sort-of Live Comments – Vox building and Space 1026 on First Friday, Oct. 3, 2014.” TheArtBlog.org, 9 Oct. 2014. Web. 10 Oct. 2014
2014 Schwartz, Chip. “Retro revelations and unsolved aeronautical mysteries at Napoleon.” Knight Arts.org. Knight Foundation, 9 Oct. 2014. Web. 10 Oct. 2014
2014 Newhall, Edith. “Galleries: In Woodmere’s Annual, paintings rule.” Philly.com. Philadelphia Inquirer, 16 June. 2014. Web. 1 Oct. 2014.
2014 Eckhoff, Sally. “Holding Our Own: H. John Thompson’s invisible travellers.” Napoleonnapoleon.com. Napoleon, 1 Oct. 2014.  Web. 1 Oct. 2014

see video from "Holding Our Own" at the NAPOLEON gallery

Holding Our Own at Napoleon Gallery Phladelphia from Jaime Alvarez on Vimeo.