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John Balistreri writes about his work: "Since the late 1980’s I have been making large-scale, monolithic, vertical sculptures. They have a base and orient themselves in space the same way a pot or person would, and in many cases there is at least a loose reference to both. I have been primarily concerned with resolving these complex forms in space on a formal level and at the same time trying to reveal an expressive interaction with the material. Over time I have introduced a larger color palette into the series, in addition to traditional wood-fired effects. The goal has been to create pieces that have a strong physical presence which reflect with my physical and intellectual processes. I want the pieces to dynamically engage the space around them as well as the viewer, and to reveal the complexity and beauty of the material. The most recent pieces are more expressive and show the physicality of the material more dramatically.
My early work was a continuation of my involvement with the ancient process of wood firing. Since 1994, I began to concentrate on using this process in an attempt to make objects that resonate with age, both geologic and human. I have built objects from our mechanized, industrial world which are obvious and recognizable to the viewer. The construction and firing of these objects transform them into contemporary artifacts, which ties geologic and human history to our contemporary condition. They also serve as specific commentary on the genre of wood firing."
