A new series of work created by Kenneth John Gonzales. The Lithic series is made by combining blown sculpture, extensive lathe carving, and complex color applications to create objects reminiscent of ancient artifacts. Is it glass? It is wood? Kenneth's intention is for these questions to cause further investigation.
"I am inspired by simple objects and tools of our ancestors. Though simple in appearance, most of these artifacts took countless hours and many failed attempts to create. Many of them were a matter of life or death. Without them, one could not eat, start a fire, or build a shelter. For me, the essential nature of these relics adds to the elegance in their simplicity. Using ones familiarity with these objects of our distant past, combined with my abstracted interpretation of their color and form, I create balance between a complex tension of uncertainty and a beauty of simplicity."
Solo Exhibitions
2008 Hanson Gallery, Knoxville, TN
2006 Works Studio Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2005 Lightworks Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2003 Senor Thesis Exhibition, Hastings College
Group Exhibitions
2009 "The Next Generation", Kitrrell Riffkind Art Glass, Dallas, TX
2009 "Hand Crafted Glass Stemware", The Bascom, Highlands, NC
2006 Monarch, Kansas City, MO
2003 "Vinegar and Oil", Phelps Fine Art Gallery, Hastings, NE
2003 G.A.S. Student Exhibition, Seattle, WA
2002 Junior Thesis Exhibition, Hastings College
2001 "Struggles" Phelps Fine Art Gallery
Juried Exhibitions
2013 "Vetri", Henry Zarrow Center for Arts Education, Tulsa, OK
2012 "2100 Degrees of Glass", Henry Zarrow Center for Arts Education, Tulsa, OK
2008 Artscapes Invitational, Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville, TN
2007 Artscapes Invitiational, Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville, TN
2007 ACC-SE Spotlight at Arrowmont School of Crafts, Gantlinburg, TN
2002 Hastings College of Students Show (*Best of Show)
Publications
2013 Tulsa People, June 2013, "Artist Under Glass"
2007 Glass Craftsman Magazine, Issue No. 204, Oct/Nov 2007, "A Celebration of Transitions"
Professional Experience
2013 - Present - Adjunct Professor of Art, Tulsa Community College, Tulsa, OK
2013 - Present - Project Director, Tulsa Glassblowing School, Tulsa, OK
2013 Gaffer for Pino Cherci, Fall Residency, Tulsa Glassblowing School, Tulsa, OK
2008 T.A. for Richard Royal and Pino Siggnoretto, Pilchuck Glass School
2004-2007 Gaffer/Cold Shop Tech Rock Cottage Glassworks, Merriam, TX
2003-2004 Shop Technician, Piece Unique Glass Studio, Denver, CO
2003 Student Demonstrator, G.A.S. Conference, Seattle, WA
2001-2003 Assistant to Tom Kreager, Professor of Art at Hastings College
2002 Production Assistant, Garcia Glass Inc., Boerne, TX
2002 The Art of Fine Craft Conference, Lincoln, NE, Workshop Instructor
2002 The Art of Fine Craft Conference, T.A. for Scott Benefield
2002 G.A.S. Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Conference Staff