Jack R. Slentz began his career as a ceramicist, later turning to wood with a torch and a chainsaw to create bold sculptures that aim to simplify natural and man-made forms.
[nonmember]The remainder of this archived post is for Members Only. Click here to become a member or to get a one day pass. If you are a member, please login to view the post. [/nonmember]
[private_archives]
Door Way, Madrone Burl
28.5” x 21” x 3.5”
He draws from shapes such as manhole covers, trees, seed pods, spears and shields. Influenced by the sense of rhythm and movement implied by their surface textures and patterns, he leads us into a deeper exploration of the basic shapes by carving, cutting, scorching and piecing them together.
Stitch Me Up, Bay laurel burl
15” x 14” x 3”
“The Disk shapes that I have used are a reflection of my infatuation with manhole covers, mushroom caps, abstract forms, and the cyclic nature of life.” Jack R. Slentz, Associate Professor of Sculpture, The School of Arts and Design, Santa Fe Community College
Four Parts of the Whole
Ash, lathe-turned, carved, sandblasted, bleached, India inked, 3” x 17 1/2” x 17 1/2”
Permanent collection of the Mint Museum of Craft + Design.
Four Parts of the Whole, detail
Positive Negative Tube – White Recycled plywood and wire
14” x 24” x 14”
“A number of the pieces I make represent a duality or struggle within the self where one can be loving, caring, and nurturing and at the same time mean, hateful, and destructive. This reflects the love, hate dichotomy, which is the backbone of much of my work. As one of my collectors once said, “your work has a sort of — from hell and back quality”, which I agree is my visual representation of life’s struggle.”
For the Tube Series, an intriguing collection of puzzle-like structures, Slentz often used recycled plywood. In addition to wood, the artist also works with rubber and metal from road signs. He has work in the permanent collections of several museums and has dedicated a page on his website with images of the museum pieces – every artist who has work in museums should consider doing this. Makes a powerful statement.
[/private_archives]
