Mike Jackson, Owner
Through thirty plus years of discovery and experimentation with electric kilns and post fire reduction, ceramic sculptor, Sheldon Ganstrom, developed a rich vocabulary of textures
and glazes that enrich his unusual and elegant forms. Working from his studio in western Kansas, Sheldon's work is informed by the fossils embedded in the native limestone, inspired by man's architectural accomplishments and attendant vessel forms in Asian and Pre-Columbian cultures.Exploring the emotional connection between the ceremonial vessel and the temple that houses them is theprimary concept behind this body of work. Inspired by both ancient and contemporary architecture and
vessels, this series investigates man's spiritual response to the buildings he creates and the utensils contained within. In the past, man designed monuments and temples to worship and appease his gods, vessels of great beauty and power served both man and the gods in mysterious rituals. Modern man has shifted his creative drive to designing great buildings dedicated to commerce and science, yet the spiritual urge for ritual, mystery and service still remains. These works represent the inner rituals and imaginary ceremonial centers needed by a modern man.
Raku, a traditional form of Japanese pottery, first appeared in Japan in the latter part of the 16th century. Today, raku potters have taken this ancient style of ceramics in many directions. Raku artist, Sheldon Ganstrom began working with the process of American raku in the late l970's. His background in drawing, design and stoneware culminated naturally in this media. A native of Kansas, Sheldon Ganstrom has a degree in art education from Kansas State University and taught art in Kansas for 11 years (l975 - l986). His work has been influenced by trips to China (2005, 2006 and 2008) and Mexico, especially the Yucatan area and studies in Pre-Columbian and Asian ceramics. Very interested in the mystery and ritual aspects of ancient ceramics, Sheldon Ganstrom states, "I work with the idea that my raku fired sculptural ceramic pieces could transcend contemporary culture and if transplanted in another time where the emphasis was on the ritual of the ceremony they would be valued."
Translating the simple elegance of Asian ceramics and the ritual mystery of Pre-Columbian vessels into his forms, Sheldon Ganstrom has produced a unique type of raku fired sculptural ceramic art. After achieving the desired shape, through hand building or throwing on the potter's wheel, the pieces are bisque fired to l800 degrees F. to harden the clay. Sheldon Ganstrom's bisque firings usually take two or three days so that the work is raised in temperature very slowly. This is done because of the wide variety of thickness in Sheldon's creations. After cooling, the pieces are glazed either by spaying or brushing and refire in the
raku process. The raku fired sculptural ceramics of artist Sheldon Ganstrom are fired to approximately 1800-1900 degrees F. in an electric kiln. This stage takes about two hours to reach maturity. The majority of the work is too large for raku tongs to be used therefore he pulls the work out of the red hot kiln using his hands protected with insulated mittens made of a heat resistant material. The work is then placed in metal cans lined with newspapers. Immediate combustion takes place but when lids are placed on
the cans a reduction atmosphere is created. At this point in the process the pieces are either left in this oxygen starved atmosphere for a period of time or they are manipulated in other ways to produce the various affects that culminate in the finished work. After the piece has cooled it is cleaned with a propane torch, abrasive cleaners, wire brushes, steel wool and a high amount of water pressure.
Many of Sheldon Ganstrom's works have a great deal of interesting textures juxtaposed with smooth, often refined areas of gold and silver. Smooth areas next to textured surfaces have been the most constant aesthetic element involved in his work for the last 25 years. Most of his work remains influenced by architecture, both ancient and contemporary and the ever-present disintegration of the surfaces thatsurround us.
In 2006 - 2007 his work was included in the international exhibition titled "Raku: Origins, Impact, and Contemporary Expression" at the American Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona, CA. His wall sculpture "Pilgrimage Relic" was purchased by the museum for their permanent collection. Sheldon has exhibited his work in over 300 juried exhibitions. His work is in public, corporate and private collections across the United States, Japan, China, Europe, and Russia. He has been featured in numerous books.
This biography is drawn from http://www.sheldonganstrom.com/bio.html
Legend Fine Arts
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