Lex Thompson

Lex Thompson is a Professor of Art at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences and the Art & Design department. His work bridges intellectual and cultural history with contemporary thought, utilizing photography, video, installation, sculpture, and other media.

• Education: B.A. in History from New College of Florida (1999), M.A. in Religion and Visual Arts from Yale University (2001), M.F.A. in Photography from San Francisco Art Institute (2004).

Thompson’s research focuses on the intersection of historical narratives, artistic practice, and emerging fields like cryptozoology. His creative outputs interrogate the ethics of materiality, memory, and spatial-temporal frameworks, as seen in projects like Frame Drag and The Ethics of the Dust.

His accolades include a McKnight Artist Fellowship, multiple Minnesota State Arts Board grants, and recognition as a Flash Forward Emerging Photographer. Thompson’s artwork resides in major collections such as the Getty Research Institute and Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

• Scientific Awards:
  • 2010 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Photographers
  • Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grants (2008, 2011, 2016, 2018)
  • 2009 Flash Forward Emerging Photographer
  • Shortlisted for 2014 Source-Cord Prize

Thompson contributes to academic discourse through writings for Lay Flat/Lavalette, PhotoEye Books, and digital platforms like mnartists.org. His interdisciplinary approach extends to collaborations with institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Photography.