KATARINA THORSEN
Artist, Writer, Researcher, Creative Engagement Facilitator
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BIO
Katarina Thorsen is an artist, writer, researcher and creative engagement facilitator. Born in Sweden in 1962, Thorsen is 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.
Thorsen is passionate in her belief that art can build connections. She uses creativity in inquiry processes to engage whole brain thinking and foster meaningful dialogue. Thorsen works with custody centres, community programs, health authorities, restorative justice organizations, and with a variety of school districts. She also provides customized workshops on creativity, drawing techniques and journaling. Her own artwork can be found in private collections in North America and Europe and her interactive art events and street art encourage participants to become part of the creative process.
Thorsen’s first graphic novel, Salt Green Death (Conundrum Press 2025), is a work of creative non-fiction containing 21 years of archival research. A prologue to the work, Joseph, was self-published as a limited edition broadsheet in 2022. Thorsen’s current project, Full Bleed (Conundrum Press 2026), is a collaborative graphic novel adaptation of the literary short story by Christy Ann Conlin, from Conlin’s acclaimed short fiction collection, Watermark (Anasi, 2019).
Projects in development include:
Occupation: The Long Shadow, a creative non-fiction graphic novel project that falls under the umbrella of a much larger research and inquiry project with 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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DETAILED CV AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
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CONTACT: katarina@katthorsen.com
INSTAGRAM: @poststreet
JOSEPH the prologue © Katarina Thorsen 2022 