ABOUT/CONTACT

KATARINA THORSEN

Artist, Writer, Researcher, Creative Engagement Facilitator

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BIO

I am an artist, writer, researcher and creative engagement facilitator. Born in Sweden, I am deeply grateful to live, work and play on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səlbílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

My first graphic novel, Salt Green Death (Conundrum Press, May 2025), is a work of creative non-fiction containing 21 years of archival research. In October 2025, the New York Public Library named Salt Green Death as one of the 50 best new comics and graphic novels for adults published in 2025. A prologue to the work, Joseph, was self-published as a limited edition broadsheet in 2022. My second graphic novel, Full Bleed (Conundrum Press, Spring 2027), is a collaborative adaptation of the literary short story by Christy Ann Conlin, from Conlin’s acclaimed short fiction collection, Watermark (Anasi, 2019).

I am passionate in my belief that art can build connections. I use creativity in inquiry processes to engage whole brain thinking and foster meaningful dialogue. I have worked with custody centres, community programs, health authorities, restorative justice organizations, and with a variety of school districts. My own artwork can be found in private collections in North America and Europe and my interactive art events and street art encourage participants to become part of the creative process.

Projects currently in development include:

Occupation: The Long Shadow, an archival graphic novel project centred on WWII. This exploration includes a deeper research and inquiry project with anthropologist, Emma Varley.

Potato Nose Diaries Archive Project: a creative non-fiction archival series based on Thorsen’s hundreds of personal journals. Potato Nose Diaries: 1977, a graphic novel, will be the first in the series.

PUBLICATIONS

Drawn Together – Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges with Art, 2013 (Book)

Joseph, The Prologue, 2022 (Limited Edition Broadsheet)

Salt Green Death, Conundrum Press, 2025 (Graphic Novel)

AWARDS AND GRANTS

City of North Vancouver Civic Youth Award – Outstanding Supporter of Youth, 2010

Women of Worth- Humanitarian of the Year, 2014

Yosef Wosk Publication Fund at Vancouver Heritage Foundation, 2021

British Columbia Arts Council Individual Arts Award – Creative Writers, 2023

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity Residency Scholarship, 2023

Canada Council for the Arts Explore and Create: Research and Creation, Literature, 2024

RESIDENCIES

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity – Graphic Novels and Visual Narrative, Spring 2023

FESTIVALS (FEATURED GUEST)

Stockholm International Comic Festival (SIS25), May 2025

Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF 2025), June 2025

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CONTACT: katarina@katthorsen.com

INSTAGRAM: @poststreet

I have done creative engagement facilitation and graphic recording with the organizations such as:

School districts: North Vancouver, Burnaby, Vancouver, Coquitlam, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island, Cariboo-Chilcotin, Mission

Schools: Mountainside Secondary, Keith Lynn Alternative Secondary, Alpha Secondary, Byrne Creek Secondary, Strathcona Elementary, West Pointe Grey Academy, Roberts Creek Elementary, Elphinstone Secondary, Kwayhquitlum Middle School, Minnekhada Middle School. L’Ecole Maillard Middle School, Hillcrest Middle School, L’Ecole Moody Middle School of the Arts, École Rochester Elementary, Fraser River Middle School, Riverside Secondary, École Montgomery Middle, Lake City Secondary School, Small Talk Preschool for Language Disorders, Bayview Community School, SelfDesign Home Schooling, Rhodes Wellness College, Stenberg College, Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, Lord Strathcona Elementary School

Youth Programs: Canucks Autism Network, HELP Street Youth, The Foundry, Intensive Youth Outreach Services, Hollyburn Family Services, Frames Film Project, Drive Youth Employment Services, Burnaby Neighborhood House, Burnaby Youth Custody Centre, Pacific Community Resource Society, Passion to Lead, Strathcona Community Centre, YouthCO

Restorative Justice Programs: North Shore Restorative Justice Society, Punky Lake Wilderness Society, Shaking the Movers, Centre for Restorative Justice, Circles of Support and Accountability, Prison Arts

Various Organizations and health authorities: City of Surrey, City of Vancouver, viaSPORT, NGU Consultants, Spruce Harbour Marina, Tapestry Retirement Living, Pacific Arbour Retirement Communities, Hawthorne Memory Care, Evergreen Extended Care, Concert Properties, Leisure Care Canada, Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health, Providence Health Care, Bayshore Home Health Care, Beauty Night Society, Friends for Life, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, Operation Sock Monkey, DIVERSEcity, TriCities Overdose Community Action Team, Solid State Community Industries, Studio20, Studio23