Trilon and Perisphere – Revisited

(c) John Fansmith 2015The Trylon & Perisphere were the iconic symbols of the 1939 World’s Fair. Constructed out of painted gypsum board, they were intended to convey the advent of a period of peace, progress, and prosperity.

My Trylon & Perisphere – Revisited, with the benefit of hindsight, is a welded steel and discarded saw blades sculpture which preserves the pyramid/sphere essence of the original but with a sharper, and perhaps more realistic edge. 28-1/2″ x 18-1/2″ x 14″. $475

16th Annual Will’s Creek Exhibition One Cubed

Will's Creek Exhibition - One Cubed

I am proud to announce that my found-item sculpture “Laminations of a Chocaholic” has just been accepted by jurors Amanda Jiron Murphy, Director of the Hamiltonian Gallery of Washington, DC and Jessica Beck, Assistant Curator of the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh for the Allegany Arts Council’s Will’s Creek Exhibition, “One Cubed,” which opens September 12 at the Arts Council’s Saville Gallery in Cumberland, Maryland.  The entirety of the artwork, including the frame or supports, must fit inside a 1 foot by 1 foot by 1 foot volume or a 1 foot by 1 foot area. “Laminations” will be on display for approximately one month.

The opening reception will be Saturday, Sept. 12 from 6 to 8 pm in the Allegany Arts Council’s galleries at 9 N. Centre St., Cumberland, MD. This event is free and open to the public.

Laminations of A Chocaholic

Laminations of a Chocoholic

“Laminations of A Chocaholic“ is my attempt to answer the age old question: “OK, now that I’ve eaten the chocolate, what do I do with the wrappers?”  “Laminations” references the design elements of the piece and word plays on the lamentations over the absence of chocolate.

“Laminations of a Chocaholic” has just been accepted by jurors Amanda Jiron Murphy, Director of the Hamiltonian Gallery of Washington, DC and Jessica Beck, Assistant Curator of the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh for the Allegheny Arts Council’s Will’s Creek Exhibition “One Cubed which opens September 12 at the Arts Council’s Saville Gallery in Cumberland, Maryland.  Check this post for more information.

Requiem for a Muse

Requiem for a MuseThe nine Muses of Greek mythology have long been a source of fascination and, perhaps appropriately, inspiration for me. “Requiem For a Muse” is an assemblage sculpture consisting of nine Raku fired ceramic pieces which draws on both the classic Greek Chorus and the Requiem Choir of western culture to pose the question:  “Which Muse, if any, is being mourned?” I can give no guidance. The answer depends upon the viewer. $450.

And All The King’s Men

Amd All the King's Men

And All The King‘s Men is an example of what can happen when you go into the ceramic’s studio after having watched an episode of Game of Thrones. It is a 9″ x 8″ x 6 1/2″ Raku fired ceramic sculpture that utilizes three different glazes to help emphasize the faces’ helmets, and coats of mail of the King‘s Men. In many ways it is similar to, but it is not a part of, a series of individual medieval themed pieces that I’m working on. $400.

The Penitent Pilgrim

The Penitent Pilgtil (C) John Fansmith, 2015“The Penitent Pilgrim” is an experimental piece which uses a combination of glazes and underglazes to emphasize the conflicting emotions at the heart of the piece. I see the face and body language of “The Penitent Pilgrim” as expressing sorrow and remorse while holding to hope. It is part of a medieval themed series of Raku fired ceramic sculptures. 12″ x 3 1/2″ x 6″. $175.