John Giesin
- INquire
- Statement
"My work is inspired by my curiosity of cultural similarities found in a common origin story of human life beginning with clay. Throughout history, different cultures believed that the first man was created from clay. Separated by land and ocean, this common belief can be found from the first peoples of the Mediterranean, Polynesia, and the Americas, and many others. This common theme has always fascinated me; why do all of these cultures believe mankind originated from the same material.
Clay shares many tactile similarities with the body. Being soft and malleable, resembling skin. Functional pottery allows me to explore this relationship of clay, flesh, and life, as a way of understanding the bond cultures perceived between clay and man. I respond to this connection by focusing on the flesh-like, visceral quality of clay, producing various alterations that suggest the body, such as folds of skin and protruding joints and bones. These vessels become an intimate object that can be held and touched. An object that, while referencing the body, communicates through the body. Through function and use, the work is able to participate in life while speaking of life, referencing the body through material, rather than representing the body through figure. Through my work, I address the question, “What is the body when the
figure is removed?” - Profesional Experience
2014 - 2015 Studio Technician
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA
Education
2015 - Present MFA Candidate / Concentration in Ceramics
Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA
2011 - 2014 BFA / Concentration in Ceramics
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA
2003 - 2011 Associates Degree in Business Management
Community College of Allegheny County, West Mifflin, PA
Exhibitions
2017 Man-Made-Man, Mid-Thesis Exhibition.
Gallery 231, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA
2016 Cup the Intimate Object XII, Juried by Charlie Cummings.
Charlie Cummings Gallery, Chapel Hill, NC
Entropy, Invitational.
Gallery 231, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA
2014 Grand Opening Show, Invitational.
Secret Cubby Gallery, Findley Lake, NY
Mug Shots, Juried by Ted Adler.
LUX Center for the Arts, Lincoln, NE
2013 Drinking Vessel Invitational, Invitational.
Stonewall Gallery, Cambridge Springs, PA
Chimera XI, Juried.
Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA
Cup the Intimate Object IX, Juried by Charlie Cummings.
Charlie Cummings Gallery, Gainesville, FL
2012 14th Annual Mug Exhibition, Juried by Clarion County Arts Council.
Michelle’s Café, Clarion, PA
Ceramics Exhibition, Juried, Two-Person Exhibition.
Bates Gallery, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA
Red Heat Contemporary Works in Clay, Juried by Virginia Scotchie.
Hogue Gallery, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK
Edinboro Ceramics Exhibition, Invitational.
East Hall Gallery, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA
Wood Fire Exhibition, Group.
Baron-Forness Library, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA
2011 Edinboro University Clay Club Exhibition, Group.
Bates Gallery, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA
CCAC Dean’s List Reception, Invitational.
Community College of Allegheny County, West Mifflin, PA
CCAC Spring Semester Student Exhibition, Juried by Faculty.
Community College of Allegheny County, West Mifflin, PA
2007 - 2010 CCAC Fall and Spring Semesters Student Exhibitions, Juried by Faculty.
Community College of Allegheny County, West Mifflin, PA
Publications
2014 Chimera XI, Jan Northey, Chimera Journal
Permanent Collections
2011 Community College of Allegheny County
West Mifflin, PA