The Making of Thriller

"Jessica's dad dubbed 'The Making of Thriller' on VHS when she was a kid, resulting in her viewing the documentary more times than she can count. What she and her brother loved most about Michael Jackson was his dancing. She never learned the full zombie dance from the Thriller video (though it is still one of her goals), but she and her brother once recreated the "Beat It" fight dance using toothpaste tubes trimmed to look like switchblades."
—Jessica Balsam

Jessica hopes to finish and publish her "Making of Thriller" graphic novel memoir in the next year.

Jessica Balsam, Page from an upcoming graphic novel on “The Making of Thriller,” ink on paper, 2009.

Jessica Balsam, The Funk of Forty Thousand Years, ink on paper, 2009.

Jessica Balsam is a Tacoma artist who wants the world to remember what Michael Jackson looks like as a zombie so we won't kill him when he comes back as one.

Undead is a group exhibition inspired by braineaters and bloodsuckers. On view from October 7 - 31, 2009 in the Telephone Room Gallery. Viewable by appointment almost anytime—don't be scared, email us at thetelephoneroom@gmail.com.