Artwork copyright Michael Lindenmeyer. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Paul Bunyan and Thor at the Bridge of the Gods, 1994

Michael Lindenmeyer
American (born 1950)

Location: Green Hill School, Chehalis

About the Artwork

Paul Bunyan and Thor at the Bridge of the Gods is part of artist Michael Lindenmeyer's series 'New Adventures of Paul Bunyan.' The series reimagines legendary Paul Bunyan encountering different world mythologies and spiritual traditions. Many are set in the Pacific Northwest. The characters in this piece battle over the Bridge of the Gods, which connects Washington and Oregon across the Columbia River. Lindenmeyer describes the Bridge of the Gods as a "focal point where history, myth, and natural beauty come together." He continues, "In this painting I wanted to put some magic back into the scene. These are the New Adventures of Paul Bunyan, and Bridge of the Gods immediately suggests Asgard of Norse legend and the Mighty Thor as Paul's worthy opponent... As Thunder God, Thor represents the elements, the supernatural. His weapon is the magic hammer, Mjolnir. He brings the rain and lightning and is a blonde Nordic type. Paul on the other hand is darker, reflecting his French Canadian roots. He stands for Progress, Industry, Development, and Technology. So conflict is inevitable, and Paul swings his trusty axe in a fit of anger, outraged that anyone or anything would dare to stand in his way.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

About the Artist

Michael Lindenmeyer is an Oregon and Olympia, Washington-based painter. He spent many summers in the 1980s in the Victorian seaport of Port Townsend, Washington where he rented a studio above the Town Tavern. His artworks tell mythic stories about the West Coast landscape and the consequences of industrialization.