“In my earlier work you rarely see bridges – I just didn’t draw them. Then suddenly they were there, in industrial scenes with chimney stacks and smoke. Maybe the bridge symbolizes finding ways around the obstacles, over the obstacles, getting into new environments, meeting new challenges. Or maybe just moving forward, going from one place to the next. I think that’s part of what I’m doing in my life.” – Mackenzie Thorpe
In Heart of the North, Mackenzie Thorpe blends his signature heart symbolism with the grit of his industrial roots. Ghostly figures move toward a misty city beneath a radiant moon, their path framed by a towering blue bridge that recalls the Tees Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough. Rising from the foreground, a giant red heart-shaped flower dominates the scene—its vibrancy standing in stark contrast to the muted tones of the workers and cityscape.
This composition reflects Thorpe’s recurring themes of resilience, hope, and community. The lone figures appear isolated, yet they walk with shared purpose—echoing the solidarity of the working class that shaped the artist’s childhood. The massive heart reminds us that love and perseverance endure, even through hardship. For Thorpe, bridges symbolize progress and possibility, a way of moving beyond obstacles into brighter horizons.
This artwork also connects to Thorpe’s broader legacy, including his commission for Her Majesty’s Jubilee—an honor that placed his work alongside Turner and Van Gogh in the Royal Collection. His deeply personal imagery resonates far beyond Middlesbrough, offering universal lessons about endurance and hope.
Presentation & Framing: Piece shown framed for inspiration; artwork is sold unframed. Enhance its impact with museum-quality custom framing available through Marcus Ashley Gallery.
Collect Heart of the North at the Marcus Ashley Gallery in Lake Tahoe, where Thorpe’s works hang among 40+ internationally renowned artists. Experience this stirring testament to love and perseverance in your own collection.
“In my earlier work you rarely see bridges – I just didn’t draw them. Then suddenly they were there, in industrial scenes with chimney stacks and smoke. Maybe the bridge symbolizes finding ways around the obstacles, over the obstacles, getting into new environments, meeting new challenges. Or maybe just moving forward, going from one place to the next. I think that’s part of what I’m doing in my life.” – Mackenzie Thorpe
In Heart of the North, Mackenzie Thorpe blends his signature heart symbolism with the grit of his industrial roots. Ghostly figures move toward a misty city beneath a radiant moon, their path framed by a towering blue bridge that recalls the Tees Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough. Rising from the foreground, a giant red heart-shaped flower dominates the scene—its vibrancy standing in stark contrast to the muted tones of the workers and cityscape.
This composition reflects Thorpe’s recurring themes of resilience, hope, and community. The lone figures appear isolated, yet they walk with shared purpose—echoing the solidarity of the working class that shaped the artist’s childhood. The massive heart reminds us that love and perseverance endure, even through hardship. For Thorpe, bridges symbolize progress and possibility, a way of moving beyond obstacles into brighter horizons.
This artwork also connects to Thorpe’s broader legacy, including his commission for Her Majesty’s Jubilee—an honor that placed his work alongside Turner and Van Gogh in the Royal Collection. His deeply personal imagery resonates far beyond Middlesbrough, offering universal lessons about endurance and hope.
Presentation & Framing: Piece shown framed for inspiration; artwork is sold unframed. Enhance its impact with museum-quality custom framing available through Marcus Ashley Gallery.
Collect Heart of the North at the Marcus Ashley Gallery in Lake Tahoe, where Thorpe’s works hang among 40+ internationally renowned artists. Experience this stirring testament to love and perseverance in your own collection.
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