Wood

Item Description

Bark inclusion marks the base of this deeply figured piece with natural bark rim.
4.0"H x 10.0"W x 10.0"D

Item Special Note

Biography and Statement

John Showalter
Bowled Expressions

John Showalter, creator of Bowled Expressions, is a native of Wheaton Illinois and long-time suburban Chicago professional who recently retired from his private of practice Hand Surgery, the first in the Chicago suburbs. Since retiring, he has devoted his time to volunteering, and his new passion: wood turning.
Using only reclaimed local hardwood, he now creates lathe-turned objects of art, specializing in spalted wood with voids and natural bark edges. Most of the wood used in his creations has been relegated to the brush pile to rot, or to the fireplace to be destroyed. Yet the spalting (partial decay), the natural edges and the cavitations in this wood that make it useless for anything else, make it perfect for turned works of art that reveal the inherent and paradoxical beauty of these defects, with spectacular graining and character that make each piece unique. Turning natural bark edges, and incorporating the voids or knots, adds substantial risk that the work-in-progress will shatter, especially at the most critical final stages of refinement. Successfully negotiating the perils of fragile (unstable) wood, loosely attached bark, or large voids where the tool must bridge gaps in the high-speed rotation of the wood, uncovers a raw beauty that defies explanation.
John requires that each piece is created from reclaimed wood that represents our local environment. Many pieces have detailed stories regarding their origin or creation. John's works on display reveal the primordial appeal of natural wood grain and character. He has three criteria for finished vessels, and each piece must demonstrate at least one...some have all three. Pieces must 1) have natural edges; 2) reveal spalt line character; or 3) have a defect which becomes the focal point of the piece. In fact, it is often the defects which, when treated with care, become the most attractive feature of the vessel. As such, they are metaphors for most of humanity.
Most of his works are of classic design and form, adding to the eye appeal of the patterns uncovered by the turning process. John has recently begun to turn deeper vessels, expanding his portfolio to include free-standing items large enough for floor display.
John has displayed his works in multiple regional arts shows, winning a Patron’s Sponsorship Award in St. Charles, and is proud to have been accepted into the prestigious American Craft Exposition in 2012 and Chicago’s own One of a Kind Show at the Merchandise Mart.. John’s creations are on display at Vale Craft Gallery in Chicago, and at Scentimental Gardens and Simitree in Geneva, Illinois. His art is also available at the Cantigny Memorial Park (Wheaton, IL) gift shop where the items for sale are turned exclusively from Cantigny’s own forest.
John’s bowls, vases, dishes and “hollow forms” with natural bark edges, intriguing voids and inclusions can be seen at his Bowled Expressions web site: www.bowledexpressons.com.

John Showalter

Wayne, Illinois

Booth:  Emerging Artist Gallery #209