1 2
3 4
5 6
I am interested in making art that is deeply personal as well as art that can be used as a tool for social engagement through the participation of many—art that blurs the line between artist and audience, art that poses questions and solutions, art that intervenes, and art that heals.

I make drawings and comics because I like ink and paper and the immediacy that these tools allow me in expressing the reality of my dreams and the surrealism of the world around me. I make sculptures because I like to form ideas based on available materials and I like to assemble images in the most physical and hands-on way possible. I conduct public arts-based experiments with others because I love the experience of discovery and camaraderie that comes with unexpected questioning and creation.

In 2010 I received a Community Arts Assistance Program Grant from the City of Chicago to print a comic book entitled Ink Fight, now available at Quimby's in Chicago.

In 2011 I created the Neighborhood Gift Exchange, a project of Woman Made Gallery. Over 180 people participated in the project, which took place during the weekend of the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival in July. Gift-exchangers used on-hand art supplies and found objects to create a one of a kind gift that they exchanged for another one made by a stranger. We documented each anonymous exchange, then printed and displayed the photos on the spot so that participants could return to find out who took their gift. All photos available through the Woman Made Gallery facebook page.

Click Here to return to WMG Member Galleries Main Page
WMG's Member Artists' Galleries. For more information on how to join please click HERE
Woman Made Gallery - 685 N.Milwaukee Ave. - Chicago IL 60642
Content: © 2013 Copyright Ruby Thorkelson
Website Design & Graphics: Copyright 1998-2013 © Woman Made Gallery [ Privacy Policy ]
Woman Made Gallery
Ruby Thorkelson
Mixed Media, Drawing
[ Website | Email ]