Art in Context
Thornton’s work holds the space it occupies, quite like the man himself. Below is a digitized selection of works in context; in the home, gallery, public space. His ability to play with scale and intimacy is most effective when experienced in person. Please reach out to learn how and where to see John’s work.
Photography
Thornton was a product and building photographer, working with 35mm, Hasselblad and View Cameras. He built a darkroom and large studio “sweep” in his New Bedford, MA residence. While he was quite successful as a professional photographer he also had a knack for capturing the humans and nature he observed and cared for in South Coast MA. Below is a selection of more candid photos he took and developed himself.
Princeton cartoons
While at Princeton from 1951-1955 Thornton was a cartoonist for The Princeton TIGER, Princeton Engineer and other campus magazines.
Industrial Design
After college Thornton worked as an industrial engineer, first for GE then Henry Dreyfus in NYC. Below is a selection of digitized renderings and appliances Thornton designed.
Architecture
Before working for a firm, Thornton designed and built two houses he then lived in, including his New Bedford property where his family continues to live.
John Havens Thornton 