Patrick Fitzgerald

"Yesterday, " Mixed-Media Sculpture

2021

Upon discovering a weathered steel drum that had been warped to resemble the sleeve of a garment, artist Gordon Chandler was inspired to embark on a series of kimono sculptures formed from found metal scraps. With an eye to the aesthetic possibilities of this humble material, Chandler invests the reclaimed steel with sculptural fluidity and a wry sense of form. Flattened with the center portion rolled out and the sides left open, this discarded barrel takes on the look of a miniature jacket. Coated with a mint green finish, the eroded metal appears as draped fabric, folded back to form a simple collar. The sculpture is finished with the artist's initials stamped...

Chicago-based artist Patrick Fitzgerald uses his works as a means of resurrecting the idyllic worlds he once found in the industrial surroundings of his youth. Raised in Grand Rapids...

Chicago-based artist Patrick Fitzgerald uses his works as a means of resurrecting the idyllic worlds he once found in the industrial surroundings of his youth. Raised in Grand Rapids...

Chicago-based artist Patrick Fitzgerald uses his works as a means of resurrecting the idyllic worlds he once found in the industrial surroundings of his youth. Raised in Grand Rapids...

An extraordinarily moving piece by an outsider artist who must have spent many a day conceiving, cutting, hammering, soldering and welding this stunning metal group made of tin and iron. The result is something completely individualistic, which at the same time recalls early medieval...

Yeonsoo Kim, "Be Yourself," Monochromatic black and white clay vessel, White stoneware, black underglaze, 11.5 × 12.5 × 13 inches. Korean ceramic artist Yeonsoo Kim masterfully blen...

Yeonsoo Kim, "Sweet Home," 2024, Porcelain moon jar,, colored clay, underglaze, 15 × 14 × 14 inches Korean ceramic artist Yeonsoo Kim masterfully blends the ancient Onggi tradition with bold, contemporary expression, crafting pieces that chronicle his personal and artistic journey. Drawing inspiration from Korea’s rich ceramic heritage, he redefines Onggi, a centuries-old practice originally used for functional pottery, by infusing it with vibrant colors, unconventional forms, and playful, stylized motifs. His hand-shaped vessels and sculptures become dynamic, modern narratives that capture his thoughts and experiences in clay. Kim’s technique involves spontaneous surface decoration using Sgraffito and calligraphy brushing, resulting in intricate designs featuring whimsical figures, animals, and objects. His work is driven by memories, relationships, and emotions, evolving organically without preplanning, embracing "freedom over perfectionism." Through his reinterpretation of Onggi, Kim merges tradition and modernity, offering a fresh expression of cultural storytelling in each piece. Working with both porcelain and iron-bearing clays, he tailors each material to the expressive qualities of his designs, revitalizing a millennia-old craft for the modern era. Yeonsoo Kim states, "My work serves as a canvas for a diverse cast of characters, engaging in silent conversations that speak volumes through their nuanced expressions. These characters, often resembling self-portraits, invite viewers into a world where implied images and narratives converge. My work reflects my ongoing quest for artistic identity by exploring the intricacies of daily existence. I delve into the depths of human emotion through recurring motifs, transforming abstract inner experiences into tangible visual realities." Yeonsoo Kim earned a BFA in ceramics and glass from Hongik University in Seoul, an MFA in ceramics from the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia, and has held apprenticeships with master Onggi artisans Hayngjong-Oh in Jeolla-do and Jinkyu Huh in Gyeongsang-do, Korea. In 2020, Kim was recognized as one of the top six Emerging Artists by the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently being selected for the prestigious 12th International Ceramics Biennale Competition at the Korea Ceramics Foundation in Gyeonggi. Kim has participated in several artist residency programs, including the Korea Ceramic Foundation, Montana State University, the Morean Center for Clay in St. Petersburg, FL, and the Archie Bray Foundation in Montana. ceramic sculpture...

Yeonsoo Kim, "Never Ending Story," Colorful clay white stoneware, underglaze, 14 x 12 x 12 inches. Korean ceramic artist Yeonsoo Kim masterfully blends the ancient Onggi tradition w...