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ARTIST STATEMENT

I design, create, and install portable and architectural works from the flotsam and detritus of the twenty-first century building industry. My work emphasizes salvaged or recycled stone, porcelain, and glass, much of it garnered from builders and manufacturers who purport to be “Green.” I hand cut these gleanings with Roman-era technology, and recombine the pieces based on ancient Byzantine poetic grammar. Many still refer to this art form as “mosaic,” and I do, too, sometimes...until that category becomes too limiting.  Then I say I create art from hard garbage.


RECENT & UPCOMING EVENTS

Flower pots what?!  4 Culture of King County, WA, recently awarded me an Individual Artist Award to create a conceptual installation entitled 69 Insecurities: A Miseducation in Contemporary Fine Art Mosaic (then click Next).  Composed of 69 miniature art objects with handwritten commentary, the installation explores the process of teaching oneself an artistic discipline that, despite its ancient roots, one cannot study in North American degree-granting art programs.  The exhibition venue is Mithun Architects, opening reception Thursday, 4 November 2010. 

What's up with the cat?  That's Arturo Braun, assisting with a large-scale work in remnant thin set mortar on hand formed cement panel entitled Mosaic Without Any Tesserae (MWAT).  Instead of allowing the tesserae to dry in the mortar, I pulled them out, leaving indentations and extrusions, allowing the viewer to see what he or she normally wouldn't...and for other reasons, but I don't want to over-explain.

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Jo Braun © 2002-2010. All rights reserved, property of Jo Braun and Studio Ravenna LLC. Images may not be reproduced in any form except with artist's permission.