Madison Brown, Arts & Life Writer EMORY, Va. — Artist John Utgaard is showing his exhibit titled “Mind–Matter” at the McGlothlin Center Art Gallery until March 21. His exhibit showcases ceramic sculptures that focus on “psychology and the unconsciousness,” quoted from Utgaard. Through sculptures, he wants to show “things within us that we can’t fully understand” and look at “parts of our consciousness that are related to the time before we were human.” As a child, his father--a professor of geology--would take him on a field course over the summer in places like Windriver Canyon in Wyoming. Utgaard talks about how the rocks in the canyon are older than life, and how seeing things like this remind him of the complexities in life. It led him to think, “What if a thought could take shape in the same way that a rock formation does?” Utgaard not only creates sculptures, but works with pottery as well. With pottery, he wants to stray away from the serious undertones his sculpture work has, making them more silly. “Pots are more directly about life and sustenance … the sculptures are more about mystery and questions.” His pottery is inspired by his mother, who passed away in 2014. “She taught me how to do things with my hands and how to value things you do yourself,” said Utgaard.“I wanted to celebrate her sense of humor through my pottery.” When asked what the process for making this style of art was like, Utgaard describes it as being “built like a building with walls or a ceiling.” Every piece is hollow and has been made using a clay mold or using styrofoam. “I want these pieces to look like they [naturally] happened.” After being asked the question of why he makes art, Utgaard pauses and walks through the gallery, looking at each of his pieces. He takes a few moments before answering. “I only have one child, but [the sculptures are] all sort of like these difficult children at times when I’m making [the sculptures] ... They’re a struggle, too, to make.” When talking about how he wants the public to see his art, he explains how he wants to make things that people have not seen before, giving the audience a sense of wonder and questioning. “I wanted to make things that fit into people’s lives in the same way like a stray animal that becomes part of your family,” said Utgaard, “it just sort of shows up and you take it in in spite of its weirdness, and it becomes part of your family.”
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