sbladholm

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Sharon Bladholm

About Me

Favorite Medium: ceramics
Statement: My sculpture is a response to a long-term investigation into the transient nature of the human figure and the natural world, especially botanical forms. By starting point in the creative process begins with simple materials such as wax, plaster and clay and after a process of maturation is finally formed into glass, bronze and ceramic.I believe that the figure becomes an appropriate vehicle allowing me to address the larger concerns of the human condition. It is very important that my work reaches across social, economic and cultural barriers reaching back to that time when art was not a separate function of life and spoke a more universal language.My time spent in the living libraries of Latin American jungles, amidst various indigenous peoples has profoundly influenced my art. My participation in scientific expeditions has allowed access to remote and pristine ecosystems where people still live in direct interface with nature. Numerous on-site sketches of the botanical exuberance in rain forested areas becomes an internal deposit of plant anatomy, leaf, stamen, stem, seed, blossom and thorn, creating an inherent intelligence that informs and infuses my work.Through my artwork I intend to visually engage the viewer and communicate the importance of human relationships and interaction with the biological wealth that delights, surrounds and sustains us. I hope to integrate the sometimes separate disciplines of art, science, conservation and the natural world into a seamless visual experience they can affect a subtle shift in perception.
Bibliography: Publications 1990-1994 Illustrator, writer and photographer, Chicago Rain Forest Action Group 1976 Illustrator and writer for ""Mountain Call"" Newspaper, John F. Kennedy Foundation Fellowship, West Virginia 1997 Photographer (rebuilding church article) Chicago Tribune Chicago Illinois Photographs of the Yanomami for the Teaching Company and McGraw-Hill Textbooks Reviews 2005 ""The Paper"", ""News Register"", (Reviews of one-person show) Galesburg, Illinois 1998 ""Body & Soul"" Peoria Journal Star Peoria, Illinois 1994 ""Tree of Life"" Grand Rapids Sentinel Grand Rapids, Michigan
Birth City: Madison,Wisconsin
Birth Year: 1958

Contact

Chicago, Illinois
United States
opalglas@interaccess.com
Phone: 773-638-3500
Website
Fax: 773-289-3420

Professional

Awards: 1994 Roman Atelier Evergreen, Colorado 1992 Scholarship Award Pilchuck Glass School Seattle, Washington 1990 Smith Scholarship Art Institute of Chicago 1976 Robert F. Kennedy Foundation Fellowship 1984 Delphi Glass Design Competition
Teaching Experience: 2000 Visiting Artist Illinois Wesleyan University 1999 Artist in Residence Glenbrook South High School Glenview, Illinois 1994-2004 Visiting Artist School of the Art Institute Chicago, Illinois 1998-2004 Drawing and Sculpture Instructor Sun Foundation Peoria, Illinois 1996 Sculpture Instructor Suburban Fine Arts Center Highland Park, Illinois

Education

Institution: Independent studies in ceramics under Tom Malone, Illinois State University, 1998-2000; Independent studies in glass casting under Bill Carlson, University of Illinois, 1996-1997; multidisciplinary studies in painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture,

Artwork by this artist

Sharon Bladholm Illinois art art glass 24 x 6 x 6	Sharon Bladholm Illinois art art glass 16 x 6 x 6
Sharon Bladholm Illinois art ceramics 22 x 9 x 9	Sharon Bladholm Illinois art art glass 16 x 7 x 6

sbladholm

Artist Profile

Sharon Bladholm

About Me

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Artwork by this artist