Artist's Statement                                    

My job as an artist involves five roles. Each role is a distinct and, for the
most part, separate stage of development, requiring different mindsets.
Currently these five roles are: Treasure Hunter, Antenna, Interpreter,
Technician and Marketer.  
Before I can sculpt with found objects, I need to gather a very large pile
of resources. As a Treasure Hunter, I am always on the lookout for that
property being cleared off or parts lying by the side of the road.  Metal
recycling outfits, secondhand shops and garage sales also serve as
good resources. It literally takes many tons of media to have the right
part for the right spot.  
To be a good Antenna, I need to have taken care of all the duties and
responsibilities weighing on my mind. Having conflicts that need to be
addressed, or a pressing to-do list, can inhibit clear reception. In a still
and quiet spot, I meditate in my own way to tap into the collective
unconscious. This helps me leave my ego and the data of this world
behind and make clear decisions in the next stage.  
The media I work with, generally antique, has a life of its own. It has gone
through a history. With that experience it’s able to tell a story. I serve as
an Interpreter of those stories and let the found object's inherent soul
gently guide me. Relying on instinct and intuition, I creatively stack and
balance the treasures, forming shapes and images. The question, “Can
it actually be completed?” will be left for the next stage.
The real work begins after a shape has emerged. I change into my
Technician’s coat and determine how to attach the unrelated parts in a
permanent fashion. Some sculptures will lie around for years in loose
piles until an aesthetic solution for binding them together surfaces.
Fabrication begins once the technique is resolved. At this point, I bring
back the Interpreter. These two stages join independently giving priority
to interpretation. It is important to listen to the pieces and follow their soul
during the process. This allows the sculpture to grow from the original
concept into something that looks alive.  
Marketing pulls the artist out of their highly personal experience into the
public arena. This balances my natural introverted qualities with the
opportunity to share my work with the outside world. I am grateful my
marketing energies have been noted because I have a creative appetite
that must be fed.


Cool blue mountains rise
from hot molten metal.
Sparks fly.
Glaciers melt.
Metal bends.
Cows moo.
And flowers emerge.

I wonder and marvel
at the hard work and wear
each piece of metal endured.
How many revolutions
did this gear
toil over what land?
Where did it finally meet
its doom?

Together the patina
recites a composition
and tells of a future,
bright with wisdom,
changed from the past.

Junk
has a life of its own.
It's gone through a history.
With that experience,
it's able to tell you a story...

What does it tell you?


- Thor Myhre










Honors

  • Jurors’ Choice Award, Big Rock Garden Sculpture Park, Bellingham, WA                         2007
  • Featured Subject of Documentary, Rusty Flowers at NW Projections Film Festival           2005


Recent Exhibits

  • Bellevue Sculpture Exhibition, Two pieces in downtown Bellevue, WA                                2008
  • International Sculpture Exhibit, Big Rock Garden Park, Bellingham, WA                             2008
  • Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, Westcott Bay Institute, San Juan Island, WA                              2008
  • Invitational Outdoor Show, Bellingham Technical College, Bellingham, WA                        2007
  • LA Conner Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, La Conner, WA                                                     2007
  • ReArt Juried Show, Allied Arts, Bellingham, WA                                                                     2007
  • International Sculpture Exhibit, Big Rock Garden Park, Bellingham, WA                             2007
  • Outdoor Sculpture Show, Blue Empress, Missoula, MT                                                         2007
  • The Tractor Show, Tractor Installation, Dear Edison Gallery, Edison, WA                           2006
  • International Sculpture Exhibit, Big Rock Garden Park, Bellingham, WA                             2006
  • ReArt Juried Show, Allied Arts, Bellingham, WA                                                                     2006
  • ReArt Juried Show, Seattle, WA                                                                                                2006
  • Outdoor Sculpture Show, Blue Empress, Missoula, MT                                                          2006
  • Invitational Group Show, Dear Edison Gallery, Edison, WA                                                   2006
  • Civic Center Outdoor Sculpture Show, Bellingham, WA                                                         2006
  • Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, Westcott Bay Institute, San Juan Island, WA                              2005
  • Redmond Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, Redmond, WA                                                             2004
  • Group Show, Lucia Douglas Gallery, Fairhaven, WA                                                             2003
  • Group Show, Mindport Gallery, Bellingham, WA                                                                     2003
  • Outdoor Sculpture Show, Blue Empress, Missoula, MT                                                         2003
  • Group Show, History of the World Gallery, Camano Island, WA                                            2002
  • Redmond Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, Redmond, WA                                                             2002
  • Duo Exhibition, DaVinci’s Gallery, Missoula, MT                                                                    2002
  • Duo Show, Isis Gallery, Dixon, MT                                                                                            2002


Select Permanent Collections

  • Mr. Imagination, Bethlehem, PA
  • Marc-James Manor Bed and Breakfast, Bellingham, WA.
  • Saint Marks Episcopal Church, Big Timber, MT
  • Charlo High School, Charlo, Mt
  • The Potter Family Cemetery, Alberton, MT
  • Ravalli Art Fair, Ravalli MT
  • The Good Egg Farm, Moiese, MT
  • The Nan Bovingdon Collection, Missoula, MT
  • Montana Waterfowl Foundation, Ronan, MT
  • Paula Brown, Bellingham, WA.
  • Birthroot Midwifery, Bellingham, WA.
  • Robert and Elizabeth Precht, Missoula, MT


Education

  • University of Montana, Missoula, MT                                                                                        1994 - 1996
  • Bennington College, Bennington, VT                                                                                        1997
  • Pilchuck School of Glass, Stanwood, WA Summer                                                                2001


Art Teaching Experience

  • Whatcom Co. Schools, 6 Found Object Sculpture Workshops, Bellingham, WA                2008
  • Red Poppy Art Center, Found Object Sculpture Workshop, Ronan, MT                               2008
  • Allied Arts Holiday Fair, 2 Found Object Sculpture Workshops, Bellingham, WA               2007
  • ReStore, Found Object Sculpture Workshop, Bellingham, WA                                              2007
  • Red Poppy Art Center, Artistic Welding Class, Ronan MT                                                     2007
  • Charlo Fine Art Camp, Found Object Sculpture Workshop, Charlo, MT                               2007
  • Lynden School, Found Object Sculpture Workshop, Lynden, WA                                         2007
  • Children's Gallery Walk, Found Object Parade Float Workshop, Ronan, MT                      2007
  • Charlo Fine Art Camp, Found Object Sculpture Workshop, Charlo, MT                              2006
  • Mentoring an Apprentice, Bud Simmons, Bellingham, WA                                                    2005
  • Mentoring an Apprentice, Nolan Chase, Bellingham, WA                                                      2004
  • NW Freedom U., WWU, Found Object Sculpture Workshop, Bellingham, WA                   2003
  • Disabled Adults, Found Object Sculpture Workshop, Ronan, MT                                         2002
  • Visiting Artist, High School Welding Class, Charlo, MT                                                         2002
  • Ravalli Art Fair, Found Object Sculpture Workshop, Ravalli, MT                                           2001
  • Sandpiper Gallery, Found Object Sculpture Workshop, Polson, MT                                     2001
  • Sitka Alternative High School, High School Band Teacher, Sitka, AK                                  1998
  • Sitka Alternative High School, High School Art Teacher, Sitka, AK                                      1998
  • Vermont Arts Exchange, Teacher’s Aid, Bennington, VT                                                       1997


Volunteer Experience

  • ReUse Works Appliances, Artistic Recycling Consultant, Bellingham, WA                          2008
  • Start Here Community Arts Member, Procession of the Species, Bellingham, WA            2007
  • Pickford Cinema, Dreamspace Remodel Recycling Technician, Bellingham, WA             2007
  • Charlo Fine Art Camp, Teacher’s Assistant, Charlo, MT                                                        2001
  • Boys and Girls Club, 4 Found Object Sculpture Workshops, Ronan, MT                              2001
  • Walnut Grove Children’s Center, Found Object Sculpture Class, Los Cruses, NM              2000
  • Missoula Art Museum, Sculpture Workshop Assistant, Missoula, MT                                   1999
  • Charlo Grade School, 4 Music Workshops, Charlo, MT                                                          1998
  • Sitka Grade School, Found Object Sculpture Workshop, Sitka, AK                                      1998
  • Pioneer Home Senior Center, Hand Felted Wool Class, Sitka, AK                                       1997
  • Dog Point Fish Camp, Cedar Bark Basket Class, Sitka, AK                                                 1997
  • Applegate River Cleanup, Resident Found Object Sculptor, Bennington, VT                       1997
  • Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival, Mr. Imagination’s Workshop Assistant, Chicago, IL             1996
Thor Myhre
2529 Undine St.
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-1042
thor@thormyhre.com
www.thormyhre.com