Andrew Thornton
he/him
Andrew Thornton is a professional mixed media artist, who was trained at the School of Visual Arts. He works in painting, collage, metalsmithing, sculpture, polymer clay, resin, and jewelry. His work explores identity through magical realism and fantasy. Andrew is the Co-Owner and Creative Director of Allegory Gallery in Ligonier, PA. When he's not creating, he is working on Star Cottage Studio. Star Cottage Studio is a working studio in a 100 year old former schoolhouse. Andrew recently was appointed as a Board Member for Touchstone Center for Crafts and was recently awarded one of the Artist-in-Residence positions in the Metal Studio at Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh, PA. He and his husband, William, live in their happy home with two cats, artwork covering every wall, and lots and lots of books and beads! His next project is opening a contemporary jewelry gallery in Johnstown, PA called, Butcher Block Gallery.
"Throughout all of human history, there has been a fascination with the idea of self. The artist is the chronicler and captures, distills, and synthesizes the world around them. My work is no different, but a continuation of a long legacy of the exploration of self and identity through portraiture. I am a storyteller and draw upon elements of fantasy and magical realism to convey my narrative. If we look at the old stories, fairytales, and myths, there are universal truths embedded within that aim to explain the human condition. Growing up gay and a person of color, most of my life has been a game of translation and seeing myself through other people's eyes and expectations. I am curious about the stories I have been told and the stories that I tell myself. My latest series investigates the way that I see myself and tell my truth through."
“Queerphoria is freedom. It is a freedom to be myself and express myself the way that I see myself. The act of creating isn’t always easy; sometimes it’s a struggle. But there can be beauty and satisfaction found in the process. When I look back to the work I made before I finally understood myself and embraced my queerness, it was all very sad and confused. When I see the work I make now, I see it as an exploration and an exciting journey. I look forward to scaling the mountains of my imagination and discovering new ways to communicate my ideas.”
What does [queerphoria] mean to you? This can be something felt, experienced, or made.
Through the Woods, Copper, 3" x 3" x 2", 2022
“Being queer allows me to look at something and find value in it, even if it doesn’t necessarily have an intrinsic material value. Being a gay artist allows me to say, this is special. This matters. It allows me to tell stories that are unique to me and my experience.”
What does being queer mean to you in relation to your material choices? Is it something you consider?
Is the work queer because the maker is queer, or is it queer because the subject matter is queer?
“I believe that an object is imbued with the maker’s energy and as such, the object takes on part of that queerness. On some fundamental level, our ideas and intentions are braided together with its material composition. It may not be seen, but it is there. However, I also understand that our work doesn’t exist in a vacuum; the viewers of the work will assign meaning and form their own interpretation. There’s a beautiful dance between what can be seen and what can be known.”
“Being an artist is intrinsically woven into my DNA. It is also the lens in which I see the world. I feel as though the artist is a chronicler, a storyteller, and they captures the world around them and inside them in what they make. My studio practice is all about finding visual solutions to questions about the world I have. Sometimes I have to tear things down to build them up. Sometimes it flows smoothly and sometimes it’s a struggle. If I were to stop making art, it would be like losing a sense.”
What role does your studio practice play in your identity- if at all?
When creating your work, do you consider the relationship your object has with the viewer?
“I feel like that relationship is always there. We are part of the world and the world is part of us. As a designer, I am ever mindful of how things are worn or interacted with. I make considerations like if it is wearable or safe. As an artist who works with narrative, I wonder if my story is visually communicated. As an entrepreneur, I wonder if something is accessible. I make my living off of what I make, so whether I like it or not, there is always a consideration. I do sometimes wonder how important my queerness is to the people who acquire my work and in what ways it does or does not matter. I always make an effort to support fellow queer makers, because I feel we have to look after our tribe. I want to see our community of queer makers thrive. I want them happy, healthy, and acknowledged. And in this way, it does matter to me because I care. I think it matters and I hope it matters to other people as well.”
Many Faces, Copper, Shell Cameo, Coral, Fine Silver, Mother of Pearl, 3" x 2" x 0.25", 2022
“Earlier this year, we were selected to participate in the ACRE program. It’s a collaboration between nonprofits with the aim of attracting and maintaining creative entrepreneurs in the Johnstown area. Through the process, we discovered a building and with the help of generous angel investors, we were able to acquire the building. Our goal is to turn the building into a gallery for contemporary jewelry. Our dream is to have a safe space, open to all, that specializes in makers who come from marginalized backgrounds. We want to help empower other makers like us and give them another platform to share their work. The new space is called Butcher Block Gallery and will open officially in 2023.”