Artist: Kyle Johns
Kyle Johns, MONTANA
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The pots I make are a distillation of materials both in physicality and containment that I interact with on a daily basis. The way which materials such as fabric, metal, and plastic can be manipulated to exude different visual qualities is of particular interest to me . For instance the way fabric is stretched over a tufted chair giving feelings of fullness and comfort while creating pattern and depth. I am drawn to utilitarian objects because of my interest in the form and function of design, and the interaction between the user and my work on both physical and visual levels. Through both mind and hand I believe that an individual can design and transform a ball of clay into a unique pot with a practical function. Clays plasticity allows me the ability to customize and personalize forms, but the interaction between the participant and the pot is of the utmost importance to the pot’s quality of function. I aim to imbue pots with specific surface treatments and formal structures, making them pleasant to the lips and secure in the hand. Through this interaction I seek to conjure up feelings of comfort, balance, and stability when creating forms. The way pots are held, poured, or opened can bring about another component in which we appreciate the enjoyment of provisions.
EDUCATION
2012
Present Ohio University, Masters of Fine Arts Candidate in Ceramics. Athens, Ohio. Expected Graduation 2015
2010
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Bachelors of Fine Arts in Ceramics. Edwardsville, Illinois.
2007
Oakton Community College, Associates in Liberal Arts. Des Planes, Illinois.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2015
10th Annual Fire And Ice Invitational. Hocking College Art Gallery, Nelsonville Ohio.
Athens Voices USA. Traveling Exhibition: The Dairy Barn Arts Center (Athens, OH.), Alabama Center for the Arts (Athens, AL.), and Arthur Butcher Art Gallery at Concord University in Athens, WV.
Jurors: John Sabraw, Didi Dunphy, and Jamey Biggs
2014
Cup: The Intimate Object X. Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville Florida.
Juror: Charlie Cummings
22nd Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National. Market House Craft Center, Lancaster Pennsylvania.
Juror: Christa Assad
The Clay Cup: Icon, Vessel, Canvas. George Caleb Bingham Gallery in the Department of Art at the University of Missouri, Columbia Missouri.
Juror: Linda Arbuckle
Solo Cup Benefit Exhibition. Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore Maryland.
The Joy of Drinking. Phoenix Fired Art, Joplin Missouri.
Juror: Nathan Falter
Lillstreet Faculty Invites Students Exhibition, NCECA Conference, Milwaukee Wisconsin.
World Cup Tournament. HYART Gallery, Madison Wisconsin.
Yunomi Invitational. AKAR, Iowa City Iowa.
SELECTED AWARDS
2013
1st Place, Monetary Award. Demitasse: Cup and Saucer Exhibition. Juror: Sebastian Moh
Honorable Mention. Tabletop (Ceramics Exhibit).
Awarded by Linda Christianson
2012
Sue Hazen Juror’s Purchase Award. Monetary Award. Starbrick
Salt and Pepper Shaker Show.
Awarded by Sue Hazen
Periodicals
“Exposure” Ceramics Monthly, November 2014, p. 20
Ceramics Yearbook, 2013, p. 24
“Exposure” Ceramics Monthly, October 2013, p. 22
“Exposure” Ceramics Monthly, April 2012, p. 16
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2014
Wheel Throwing For Beginners (Instructor of Record) Fall Semester
Hand building of Beginners (Teaching Assistant) Spring Semester
2013
Glaze Calculation (Teaching Assistant) Fall Semester
Kiln Building (Teaching Assistant) Spring Semester
2012
Wheel Throwing For Beginners (Teaching Assistant) Fall Semester
STUDIO EXPERIENCE
2011-2012
Studio and workshop Assistant for Arrowmont School for the Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg TN.
2010-2012
Assistant Studio Technician for Evanston Art Center, Evanston IL.
2009-2010
Secretary for the Wagner Potters Association, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville IL.
2005-2012
Studio Assistant for Oakton Community College Art Department, Des Plaines IL.