Since grad school at Yale and The Rhode Island School of Design in the early 80s, Massachusetts-based artist John Gibson has been captivated by paintings that assert themselves as objects. This fixation began an artistic journey through abstraction and into exploring geometric forms, especially the sphere. For John, the sphere's duality as both a simple shape and a complex metaphor encapsulates the tension between form and meaning, inviting viewers to reflect on the deeper narratives and aesthetics within a body of work now spanning almost 40 years.
The intricate process of creating his sphere paintings transcends traditional definitions of art, leading to a contemplation of what constitutes a painting versus a sculpture. Each piece, crafted from a collage of wood and meticulously reassembled, embodies a storied transformation while simultaneously invoking the influence of 17th-century European still life and the minimalism of the 20th century. By stripping away contextual clues and personal narratives, the works become a complex exploration of the materiality and essence of art itself, challenging viewers to engage with the work beyond mere representation and consider it an integrated object of experience and inquiry.
This curiosity about others' perceptions, particularly of architectural influences and the shared experience of desire and unattainability in art, resonates deeply for John, speaking to a universal aspect of creativity where the artist's obsession can mirror or even stir similar emotions in the audience.
John’s work is held in numerous significant collections worldwide, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and The Rhode Island School of Design Museum.