| Jan Stewart | ||
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As a conceptual sculptor, I use form to invite the viewer to look inside my pieces. I believe what's going on inside my work (and inside people) is much more interesting and important than the outer form. My abstract works, as well as my more recent figurative pieces, invite viewers to look inside for symbols and often evoke emotions in the viewer, allowing them to confront those feelings. My works cover a wide range of emotions, from fierce and wrenching to light and whimsical. The DUNIES (families of creatures who reside in the Dunes of Northwestern Indiana) which I created, speak to our inner child and invite it to come out and enjoy a rich fantasy life. At the other end of the spectrum, my work about the conflicts in the Balkans reflects the grief associated with profound losses in life. It's not important that we (the artist and viewer) have the same experiences; what is important is that we relate
to a similar emotion. If my work can touch the emotions and experiences of others, I am fulfilled as an artist.
Jan and her Dunies |
EDUCATION DISCIPLINE GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Commissions Jan will
accept commissions. A Political Statement in Clay,
exhibited at the Hobart
Twenty-first Century Outsider: A moment to take a look at the greed and unfairness of our economic crisis. The Outsider ispurposely painted while the rest of the parts of the work are all glazed. The Outsider has no entry to the money (the large green square piece), the companies (each of the five men in blue suits) or even the loan application. He represents Middle Class America, each of the companies (although there could be many names) are A.I.G., Bank of America, C.l.T.I., Fannie May and Freddie Mac, each taking taxpayer money for a job poorly done and managing to get bonuses for it. While our Middle Class American waits for someone to notice him and help him get a loan. l ~LiAmerica, circa 2009: The central figure has just gotten his Pink Slip from a job he held for many years and thought he was doing wellat. He, like those he represents, has accumulated a number of bills (mortgage, tuition, credit card debt, loans, etc.) which are piled high on his back. Around him are the doors to those places where is either owes money, or where he is a customer - all of them without door knobs - all of them unavailable to him now that he is no longer employed and has no money. Their reasons are painted on each door. Our figure is down but not out. Foreclosure Gap: A slippery slope. One day you think you're doing fine; have a good job, fine home with a mortgage that seemsreasonable, and then the bottom drops out of the stock market and everything changes. Suddenly your job is not as secure as it once was and the mortgage payments have gone up and you can't keep up. Then your work cuts back & you're not making as much and then they ask you to take a lay-off and suddenly you can't make the mortgage payment and the bank won't listen and no one is giving loans. And the guy (the banker) at the top of the slippery slope gives you the default notice & you're headed for Foreclosure Gap. There you'll meet many others (represented by the parts of individuals who feel that much of who they were is missing) so you won't be the only one in Foreclosure Gap. Notice the hand holding on to the slope. That's the hope that eventually things will turn around. 61 23/200910:18 AM
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