Artist Statement

For years now I have been trying to develop a kind of visual language. Finding constants, universal truths and attempting to create a rich contextual environment. Establishing type and archetype where objects, shapes, and drawings become more than simple metaphor and start to become wholly developed conversation. The work needs to be approachable; one should never feel unqualified to have an opinion about it. Complicated work ought to feel easy to the viewer.

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Artist Bio

Jon lives in Montgomery County with his wife Kimberly and their three sons. He owns and runs a manufacturing facility in Perkasie, Pa and for 16 years was a consultant for a movable bridge engineering firm. In addition to creating his own art, Jon invents “machines” to assist artists in their installations. He also designs, fabricates, and installs large-scale work for other artists.

Most of his work is playful; it is significant, thoughtful and beautiful. Accessibility both intellectually and artistically for all audiences is extremely important to him. Both Jon and the work are absent of loftiness, condescension, and pretense. Instead, one finds both the artist and his creations to be simultaneously powerful and humble.

Previous shows were exhibited at the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown and Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia with Matthew Stemler. Permanent Installations with Kimberly consist of "alpha & omega" NHUMC in Gilbertsville, Pa, and "Windows of History" located at Univest National Bank in Souderton, Pa.

Jon will be having a two-person show with Kimberly Stemler at the North Hall Gallery, MontgomeryCounty Community College at the Pottstown campus August-October 2024.

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Professional Experience

Experienced welder, fabricator, sculptor, and owner of North Penn Machine Works Company

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Bibliography

• Schira, Ron, "Art review: NAP’s popular ‘Small Works’ exhibit an art lover’s wish fulfilled", Reading Eagle, June 26, 2015

• Ptah, Gabrie "Flux Capacity", Philadelphia City Paper, June 18, 2009

• Chinatown North Social Practice Lab

• http://www.chinatowninflux.org/artists.html

• http://artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=14400&int_modo=1#.XRTar7xKh, October 2005

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Public Collections

• Univest National Bank, Souderton, PA

• New Hanover United Methodist Church (NHUMC), Gilbertsville, PA

Exhibitions

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Two-Person

2024
Aug - Oct
of earth & myth, exhibit with Kimberly Stemler at North Hall Gallery, Montgomery County Community College, Pottstown, PA Campus

2009
little red string, In/Flux Project through Asian Arts Initiative
Collaborative installation with Kimberly Stemler

2005
Site-specific outdoor exhibition, James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, Pa
Collaboration with Matthew Stemler

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Group

2021
Sculpture in the Glen lll, InLiquid, Gladwyne, PA

2020
Sculpture in the Glen ll, InLiquid, Gladwyne, PA

2018 - 2008
Dear Fleisher, Biennial Invitational, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

2016
’Til Death Do Us Art, Invitational, Studio B, Boyertown, PA
Curator, Susan Biebuyck

2015
Get Down to Earth Show, Studio B, Boyertown, PA

2010-2015
Salon Exhibition of Small Works, New Arts Program Annual Invitational, Kutztown, PA
Curator, James Carroll

2003 – 2010
Juxtaposition, site-specific installation, Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, PA
Collaboration with Matthew Stemler

2002
Annual Juried Exhibition, Abington Art Center, Abington, PA

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Public Projects

2021
Visionary Sightseeing Binoculars fabrication, Springfield Art Museum, Springfield, MO
Permanent sight-specific public work for artist Rebecca Hackemann,

2018
Windows of History, Souderton, PA
Collaborative piece with Kimberly Stemler

2018
alpha & omega, Gilbertsville, PA
Permanent Installation Commission for NHUMC
Collaboration with Kimberly Stemler

2014
The Public Utteration Machine, New York, NY
Site-specific installation and fabrication for artist Rebecca Hackemann, installed in NYC

2013
Oculus by Santiago Calatrava, Installed above the new transportation hub at the World Trade Center, NY, NY
Provided field machining for the installation

2012
Visionary Sightseeing Binoculars by Rebecca Hackemann Artist, NY, NY
Installation and fabrication for artist

2009
The Urban Field Glass Project, AAI Influx SeriesPermanent sight-specific public work by artist Rebecca Hackemann,
Installation and Fabrication

2005 - 2006
Influx Series, Asian Arts Initiative, Philadelphia, PA ‍

Portal, 10th and Vine Streets
Fabrication, installation and de-installation for visual artist Tomie Arai ‍

Chinatown Eyes, 500-foot-long banner overlooking Vine Streets
Fabrication, installation and de-installation for local sculptor and professor Mei-Ling Hom

1992
Design and fabrication of a heavy duty all terrain a-frame for Winifred Lutz to assist the installation of The Reclamation Garden, Abington Arts Center

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