Jonathan CROSS
Born: 1981, in Dallas TX
Medium: wood-fired ceramic sculpture and vessels

Jonathan grew up in Texas, receiving a BFA in Printmaking from the University of Dallas in 2003. After working in that field at Gemini Press, he almost accidentally discovered the joys of working with clay. A passion for cactus led him to making containers to best display the plants. Much of his efforts were self taught, allowing him the freedom to develop his own unique methods and styles. He returned to school and received an MFA in Ceramics from Arizona State University in 2014.

Since then Jonathan has become widely known as one of the most dynamic of young clay sculptors. His work displays a personal style of exuberance and strength. Rather than building up the clay on a wheel, or using coils, his is a reductive process-cutting away from a solid block at strong angles, sometimes using a machete. Sundry techniques such as scoring, adding graphite or gold lines, and sandblasting provide linearity and striking variations in planar surfaces.

Some of Jonathan’s works are vessels, others are sculptural. Wood-firing with different clay bodies and different woods allows the artist to achieve a wide variety of colors, textures and sensibilities. There are tequila cups, planters, vases, incense boxes and bowls. Sculptures can be either horizontal or vertical and designed to be wall-mounted or placed on a flat surface.

In each piece the artist directs the viewer to experience clay in a new way. Wood-firing is a somewhat uncontrolled process; happenstance, position in the kiln, and fortuitous events create the final appearance of these unique and distinctive works in clay.

Selected Exhibitions:
Denver
Los Angeles
Phoenix Chicago
Dallas
Santa Fe, NM
St. Helens, OR
Paris, France

Collections:
Las Cruces Museum of Art, New Mexico Many private collectors