J a s o n W a l k e r
The story behind the artist of "sophisticated ambiguity"
Characterized by the blend of industrial and nature motifs in his extremely detailed art, Jason Walker is a contemporary artist primarily working with porcelain. His spark of interest began in high school, as a sign painter- an experience from which he derives his unique precision and speed (Stellaccio). Later on, this passion was carried onto his studies at Utah State University and Penn State University under two prominent individuals- John Neely and Chris Stanley. His style, consisting of stable form yet also intense expression of ideas, are derived of these mentors.
His ceramics experience extend beyond instructing and creation within the United States; throughout the two decades of his profession, Walker has worked around the world, prominently in France, China, and Hungary (Walker). The works, which all share the similar theme of " American ideas of nature and how technology has changed our perceptions of nature" are scattered throughout the States. He had been nominated and invited for several awards and grants, ranging from the USA Artist Award to the San Angelo National Ceramics Competition (Jason Walker).
Construction Methods
From muses to masterpieces
Initially, Walker's muse seems to be the age-old ones of Transcendentalism; contrasting nature and man-made structures. However, as Anthony Stellaccio says, Walker's interests do not end there: he is captivated by "the dynamics of our relationship with “nature” than by our increasingly desperate circumstances" (Stellaccio). In order to capture the delicate connections, he uses both three-dimensional sculpting and two-dimensional drawings. Beginning from forming by porcelain, he creates the base figure that combines aspects of nature- such as fauna and flora- before adding industrial touches, with pipes, bolts, sewers and gears.
Following is the month's worth of intricate drawing; his usage of glazes have varied from the standard commercial under-glazes to the recently found china paints- which display the distinctive, bright coloration in pieces (Lovelace). The black and white drawings are accredited to have had influence from Thomas Cole, Thomas Moran, and various other early American painters. It's unique in the fact that Walker's art are embedded within clay sculptures; each piece portraying intricate, detailed, thoughtful viewpoints on the human interaction with nature.
Critique
"Wildflower" by Jason Walker
"Wildflowers" is a porcelain sculpture by Jason Walker, one of his recent work containing the most up-to-date techniques and style.
At first glance, two distinctive forms stand out- first, the wolf, and the second, the various bulbous growths surrounding the animal. Characteristic of Walker, the wolf becomes the central figure of the piece, the china-painted colors drawing out three vivid scenes on the right, the top, and the left sides. Legs of the wolf, seemingly made of pipes, and similar materials surrounding the center of the piece sets a scene of nature among artificial abstractness. As the name suggests, it is as if the wolf itself is a 'wildflower' that had blossomed from midst human intervention on nature; it's the representation of a more 'dogged' side of Mother Earth. Closer examination of the wolf shows there is certain continuation between the left and right sides of the canine. Referring to perspective 1, it portrays a deer in the highways, situated in nature yet with strong indication that even in the wilderness, human touch has altered the scenery in various ways. Intricate drawings portray the bizarre warning poles instead of trees; various road signs, and the classical asphalt highway stretching out into the horizon. The selfsame highway continues on the left side (see perspective 3) which seems the polar opposite of the right; this time, the scenery pictures majority human civilization, with hints and suggestions of nature surviving on in shades of green. Also, on the back (perspective 2) one notices an airplane in runway; the one method of transportation that transgresses both nature and city without completely marring the distinctive scenery. Jason Walker's usage of various media- and his clean porcelain sculpting and precise, strong usage of paint is nonetheless admirable. His techniques and the theme of portraying the balance of nature and human intervention plays along nicely in this piece, "Wildflowers". This combination requires viewers and critiques to lean in closely to understand and fully digest the various meanings within his works; but leaves certain ambiguities to render full comprehension of the pieces hard to attain. For example, what do the growth-like pipes and bulbs represent that surround the wolf? Uncertainty leaves room for personal interpretations, making Walker's works far more expendable and relatable. |
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