Editor's note: This interview is presented as part of a content partnership with InLiquid.
John Y. Wind
Discipline: Collage, sculpture, installation and jewelry
Where do you live and work?
I live in the Rittenhouse Square area, and have a studio in Bella Vista.
What training/arts education have you had?
I studied creative writing at the University of Pennsylvania, then Studio Fine Art at the Slade School of Art in London. I spent 25-plus years designing jewelry for my company, Maximal Art. I also designed trade show booths and spent seven years doing window displays for Joan Shepp Boutique in Philadelphia.
What kind of art are you currently working on?
I'm putting the finishing touches on my first solo show at the James Oliver Gallery (it runs through June 26). It's comprised of five large installations of sculpture, collage, other people's art, decorative accessories, collectibles and more -- each installation is a kind of self-portrait through art and objects.
Describe your methods for us:
The material world is my muse. I gather ephemera and keepsakes like a magpie -- everything from wine corks and old cologne bottles, to glossy images of celebrities, porn stars and luxury goods. Then I usually sort things by color. And finally, depending on the project, I combine them into two- or three-dimensional collages.
What have you been up to most recently?
I am covering a seven-foot surfboard with an ornate mosaic of cut-out imagery -- popular consumer culture on the front and erotica on the back.
What's next up for you?
I made a series of embellished vintage male busts for the show. I'd like to work on some female busts next, exploring the integration of my jewelry world with my art world.
What inspires you?
I'm inspired by the great collagists and collectors of the past: Kurth Shwitters, Hannah Darboven, Ray Johnson, Joseph Cornell. I'm also inspired by artists who confidently explore themes of male desire and sexuality, such as Robert Mapplethorpe and Jack Pierson.
Why do you make art?
A friend once said I'm very "make-y, make-y." I have always had the desire to create things. The interesting journey for me has been to try to create a conceptual framework for all of this output, and end up with a bigger richer picture.
What do you hope people will get out of your work?
For starters, they're certainly going to get to know me a little better -- the work is very personal! I also hope they leave appreciating art in the everyday and musing on the passage of time. Finally, I hope the show puts them in a good mood -- I see it as a celebratory show, with lots of twists, turns and visual surprises.
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