John Clement’s sculptures are improbably joyful. Clement transforms utilitarian materials, specifically bent steel and aluminum pipe, into whimsical, gravity defying forms of both small and monumental scale. Looping, swooping, dashing, dipping, zipping, action verbs are a necessity when attempting to describe his work.

While they do not make pretentious claims, Clement’s sculptures reveal several objectives simultaneously. The sculptures are “about” space and time-in terms of the objects themselves and those who view and experience them. They are as simple as colored three-dimensional forms in space, seemingly evocative of overgrown line drawings. At the same time they evoke complex organisms that refer to all manner of natural and manmade phenomena.

Clement’s practice yields works that transform and animate the spaces they are in: urban, suburban, or rural. They engage with their installation locations, the landscape, and the built environment to create a new space, a non -utilitarian interruption of the mundane.

Born in Bryn Mawr, PA in 1969, Clement has lived and worked in Brooklyn, NY since 1993. His works are installed nationally and internationally throughout North America East and Western Europe, Asia and Australia. From 1994 to 1999 he apprenticed with world -renowned sculptor Mark Di Suvero with whom he maintains a close mentor/student/friend relationship.

“The spiraling shapes of cylindrical forms have a fascination that is so deeply linked to life, that they seem to be the root of life. From DNA to galactic spirals, the interweaving of these forms is ever present to humans. John Clement has woven this energy with consummate artistry and a brilliant choice of color so that these works have both power and elegance. His capacity to handle steel and aluminum has a grace that makes such work seem easy to achieve, but that is deceptive: the bending, joining, welding and grinding are complex, difficult, and require a knowledge of the material. His strength and sense of beauty makes it obvious to me that John Clement is a talented and important artist”.

Mark Di Suvero, Sculptor

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