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Indepth Arts News:
"Jonathan McMillan : Convergence"
2010-07-08 until 2010-08-14
Clay Art Center
Port Chester, NY,
USA United States of America
Clay Art Center is proud to present Convergence, a solo exhibition featuring ceramic sculpture and functional pottery investigating the symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural world by 2009-10 artist-in-residence, Jonathan McMillan. The exhibit, held in the Choy Gallery and Henry's Project Space, will run from July 8 – August 14, 2010 with an opening reception on Saturday, Thursday, July 8 from 6-8pm. Admission is free.
About his work, Jon states “Currently, I make both pottery and sculpture. While these bodies of work are very different, they compliment rather than contradict each other. I relate this methodology to working dualities I find within myself and in the world around me. In this way, the making process becomes part of my exploration of dichotomies-- reinforcing content through physical, conceptual, and formal elements.
“These two bodies of work inform, invigorate, and augment each other. Working on the wheel and wood-firing functional pots is at the heart of my love of clay, providing a visceral relief from the meticulous nature of my sculpture while connecting me to the rich tradition of ceramic vessels. By making and disseminating one-of-a-kind, functional pots, I contradict the cacophony of homogenized, mass-produced objects that characterize modern culture. My protest takes the form of action and object, and through my work, I seek to reestablish human connections in our disconnected world.
“Making sculptural work in turn gives me the freedom to explore many processes, and an avenue to address more content-oriented issues with my work. The time-consuming process of making, and the drawn out multiple firings I employ contrast the more immediate nature of potting. Juxtaposition and ambiguity are employed along with industrial and organic references to create work that speaks to both general and specific dichotomies, allowing viewers to bring their own experiences to bear in their interpretation. Ideas including symbiosis, conflict, and coexistence are important to this work, reinforcing the complexity of any interdependent relationship. While I approach the concept of duality from a personal perspective, I strive to create objects that engage viewers while leaving room for exploration. My hope is to encourage dialogue by raising questions instead of providing answers.”
Jon McMillan is an artist and teacher, and is currently the 2009-10 Artist in Residence at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY. Raised in Richmond, Virginia, Jon also grew up spending summers on the water in northern Michigan. He holds a Masters in Fine Arts from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from James Madison University, where he also earned a minor in Art History. In between educational experiences, Jon traveled and worked as both a cook, and as a full time studio potter. When he is not in the studio making pots and sculpture, he enjoys cooking, playing musical instruments, and spending time outdoors with his family and friends.
Clay Art Center is a not-for-profit ceramic art organization offering exhibitions, clay classes for adults and children, studio spaces for clay artists and outreach programs in the community. It is located in the heart of Port Chester at 40 Beech Street, Port Chester, NY 10573. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 10am-4pm or by appointment.
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