Renowned ceramic artist John Gill is set to present his latest collection of dynamic ceramic works in a solo exhibition at Yossi Milo Gallery. The show, titled “WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE?”, features new and recent pieces that continue Gill’s exploration of the vessel form, pushing the boundaries of functionality and embracing a postmodern aesthetic.
Gill, who has been a celebrated figure in the field of ceramics for over half a century, is known for his innovative approach to traditional forms such as vases, ewers, bottles, and platters. His work is characterized by a joyful collision of color, texture, and form, often prioritizing artistic expression over discernible utility.
The artist’s process involves a time-tested hand-building method, where he joins and manipulates innumerable clay slabs to construct the body of each piece. Gill describes his approach as intuitive, stating, “I hate to just execute a piece. Instead, I ask the clay, what do you want to be?” This negotiation between artist and medium results in works that seem to burst into existence fully formed, belying the complex process of their creation.
The exhibition includes a grouping of monumental vases and covered jars created over the past three years. These vessels are intricate both inside and out, showcasing architectural grandeur on a miniature scale. Gill’s larger open forms are particularly noteworthy, as he approaches them from every possible angle, rotating them as though in zero gravity and building without a defined top or bottom.
Color plays a crucial role in Gill’s work. The artist likens his process to that of a painter, drawing inspiration from his surroundings to inform his use of light and color in three-dimensional space. His ceramics synthesize diverse art historical lineages, employing sensibilities that range from Impressionist to Pop, from Fauvist to Abstract Expressionist.
John Gill’s work has been widely exhibited in the United States and abroad, with pieces in the collections of prestigious institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. His contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous accolades, including induction into the International Academy of Ceramics in Geneva and election as a Fellow at the American Crafts Council.
The exhibition “WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE?” will open with an artist’s reception on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 6 to 8 PM, and will remain on view through Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Yossi Milo Gallery.
