Sculptor explores variety of media
Lisa Norris
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: After Hours
Artist John Richardson employs a methodical and planned process to create his sculptures featured in the University Gallery of Porter Hall.
Richardson presented a lecture about his creation process and his exhibit "Balance" on Monday, Oct. 26, in 316 Hughes Hall. The presentation room was packed full of students, art department faculty and community art patrons.
Sculpting in a modest studio at his home in Detroit, Mich., Richardson begins all of his projects with a template.
"My home studio is mostly set up for wood and light metal fabrication," Richardson said. "Everything is geared towards having the tools necessary to do my work."
From the template, he creates a Styrofoam mold or cast.
"Quite a few years back, I decided to use an elliptical shape as kind of a halfway form," said Richardson. "The ellipse relates to the body, so the shapes look kind of like an organ, an ear or mouth."
Richardson also considers the texture of his works, especially in his work with rubber and its symbolism as human flesh. He works to make the consistency and feel of the rubber similar to human flesh, which contrasts with the wooden or metal object the rubber is entwined with.
"I was trying to find a way to experience sculpture closer to the way we experience our bodies, so I started using cast silicone," he said. "The rubber part of the pattern distorts and moves; it has kind of a fluid quality. I am interested in distortion and the way patterns are dispersed in the world."
Originally working in steel as his medium, Richardson used his skills to pay for his first studio after graduate school.
"I created a small business making custom welded metal light fixtures for restaurants," said Richardson. "It paid for my studio at the time so I could make things I wanted to make."
Richardson continues to work in metal, using the lab at Wayne State University, where he is an associate professor of sculpture.
"I think it is important to understand the context of what an artist is experiencing so you can get a sense for the work," said Richardson.
Richardson presented a lecture about his creation process and his exhibit "Balance" on Monday, Oct. 26, in 316 Hughes Hall. The presentation room was packed full of students, art department faculty and community art patrons.
Sculpting in a modest studio at his home in Detroit, Mich., Richardson begins all of his projects with a template.
"My home studio is mostly set up for wood and light metal fabrication," Richardson said. "Everything is geared towards having the tools necessary to do my work."
From the template, he creates a Styrofoam mold or cast.
"Quite a few years back, I decided to use an elliptical shape as kind of a halfway form," said Richardson. "The ellipse relates to the body, so the shapes look kind of like an organ, an ear or mouth."
Richardson also considers the texture of his works, especially in his work with rubber and its symbolism as human flesh. He works to make the consistency and feel of the rubber similar to human flesh, which contrasts with the wooden or metal object the rubber is entwined with.
"I was trying to find a way to experience sculpture closer to the way we experience our bodies, so I started using cast silicone," he said. "The rubber part of the pattern distorts and moves; it has kind of a fluid quality. I am interested in distortion and the way patterns are dispersed in the world."
Originally working in steel as his medium, Richardson used his skills to pay for his first studio after graduate school.
"I created a small business making custom welded metal light fixtures for restaurants," said Richardson. "It paid for my studio at the time so I could make things I wanted to make."
Richardson continues to work in metal, using the lab at Wayne State University, where he is an associate professor of sculpture.
"I think it is important to understand the context of what an artist is experiencing so you can get a sense for the work," said Richardson.
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