John Dennison | LUX Center for the Arts | Art Gallery, Classes, Summer Camps & Outreach
 

John Dennison

John Dennison

Artist
Profile Location
Omaha , NE
Artist Statement

Much of my current work has evolved into a series entitled “Bowls Beyond Function.” These bowls and platters serve as a canvas—a surface on which to explore color, texture, theme, and mood. Each one is unique, distinguished by a dry, mottled, craggy surface, the result of several applications and multiple firings of glazes, under-glazes, oxides, and wax resist. I run a one-man studio, designing, throwing, glazing, firing, and finishing each piece. Even though I rely on a functional shape, these bowls are, for all intents and purposes, sculptural in nature.


My masks and other sculptural works often reflect my love of literature. Literary allusions, religious icons, and elements of pop culture often accent these works. I have made masks from early on. At one time, they evoked ideas of the primitive, or elements of the sea, or even the darkness of the human spirit. Today, many of them, as well as my sculptural boxes, touch on the similar themes. However, with the addition of iconic imagery, they have evolved into explorations of morality, race, music, modern media, and other topics. Often, I do integrate teapots and teacups on these face sculptures. No surprise since I’m a potter, I guess. But people often do ask. For me the sharing of tea suggests a communion with others, a mulling over of ideas: and, of course, tea and teapots have had a long and historical significance to potters.


In essence, working with clay provides me the opportunity to explore my loves. Whether it is making bowls, teapots, or masks, each brings new opportunities to find truth in “making by hand.”​

Medium
Ceramics
 
 

Exhibitions Featuring this Artist

Jim Aden
Kristine Allphin
Posey Bacopoulos
Shawn Teseo Ballarin
Margaret Berry
Ashley Buchanan
Larry Buller
Donna Burdic
Anne Burton
Elaine Buss
Neil Celani
Kelly Cook
Austin Coudriet
Lindsey Day
John Dennison
Amanda Durig
Robin Erfe
Lynette Fast
Allie Feezell
Belle-Pilar Fleming
Barbara Greving
Luke Huling
Mike Jabbur
Sarah Jentsch
Lauren Karle
Anthony Park Kascak
Josh Knutson
Brad Krieger
Margie Magnuson
Susan McGilvrey
Andrew McIntyre
Nicole McLaughlin
Bri Murphy
Kyle Nobles
Samantha Oliver
Sarah Olsen
Teddy Osei
Brent Pafford
Cathy Patterson
Sarah Rowe
Agnes Seebass
Chanakarn Semachai (Punch)
Annie Sinton
Susan Stark-Johnson
April Stevenson
Evan Stoler
Dan Terpstra
James Tingey
Lisa Truax
Sara Truman
Kat Wiese
Kate Marotz
Max Reis
Nov
05
11/5/21 to 12/24/21
Multiple Mediums

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