About
JOHN TINKER
ARTIST STATEMENT
Studio
I have been living in New Mexico since the late 1970s, working in three-dimensional narrative abstraction. I utilize a variety of materials: found objects, wood, cast resins, plastics, encaustic waxes and metal. My work reflects my high regard for craft, and is fueled by experimentation with the properties of materials and surfaces. Every sculpture is intentionally titled, revealing a personal narrative that permeates my activities.
My choice of forms alternates between recognizable references to the natural world, serving as metaphors for the human condition, to the more abstract and non-objective. Pairings of objects and the use of liquids that drip, leak, ooze or pool suggest the transitory nature of relationships and human interactions. Other works simply represent personal experiences or emotional reactions to a place or event.
Irony, understated humor and free association give each piece its own voice. Finally, the occasional reference to art history is my contribution to the ongoing conversation that constitutes the language of art.
ARTICLES and REVIEWS
EXHIBIT 208, Albuquerque, NM, June 2017
“Tinkering With Found Objects”, Albuquerque Journal,
June 11, 2017
“Making Material Ideal”, El Palacio, Vol. 115/No. 3
Fall 2010
“Tinker’s Toys”, Albuquerque Journal, Santa Fe/North,
Sept. 3, 2010
“John Tinker at Linda Durham”, AdobeAirstream,
March 28, 2010
“John Tinker”, THE Magazine, May, 2010
RESUME
EDUCATION:
University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire BFA, 1974
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
| 2017 | EXHIBIT 208, Albuquerque, NM |
| 2010 | New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM Linda Durham Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM |
| 2004 | Addison/Parks Gallery, Santa Fe, NM |
| 2000 | LewAllen Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM |
| 1997 | Cline LewAllen Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM |
| 1995 | Horwitch LewAllen Gallery, Santa Fe, NM |
| 1991 | Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM |
| 1989 | Graham Gallery, Albuquerque, NM |
| 1985 | Jonson Gallery, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM |
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
| 2020 | EXHIBIT 208, Albuquerque, NM, “Toys” |
| 2019 | Pablo Center at the Confluence, Eau Claire, WI "UWEC Alumni Exhibition” |
| 2015 | Offroad Productions, Santa Fe, NM, “I Want To Believe (maybe)” Offroad Productions, Santa Fe, NM, “Interstated” Peter’s Projects, Santa Fe , NM, “Goldfinch Variations” |
| 2012 | Hill’s Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, “Remix: Then + Now” |
| 2009 | William Shearburn Gallery, St. Louis, MO, “Word”
New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM, “Alternative Spaces” |
| 2004 | Addison/Parks Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, "Introducing..." |
| 2003 | Center For Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM, "The Peace Show" |
| 2002 | Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, NM, "From Realism to Abstraction: Art in New Mexico 1917 - 2002, Selections from the Permanent Collection” |
| 2001 | Santa Fe Art Institute, Santa Fe, NM, temporary installation McNay Art Museum, San Antonio, TX |
| 2000 | LewAllen Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM, "Sticks, Stones, Wood and Steel" College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM, "Past, Present, Future" |
| 1999 | LewAllen Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM, "Enduring Form" |
| 1998 | Amos Eno Gallery, New York, NY, "Small Works International" |
| 1997 | Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, NM, "State of the Questions" |
| 1996 | Horwitch LewAllen Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, "The Fine Art of Craft and Sculpture “
Additional group exhibitions: 1995, 1994, 1993. |
| 1993 | College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM, "Santa Fe Sculpture Project, Selections '93"
Owings Dewey Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM, "2nd Annual Invitational in Celebration of the Day of the Dead" Cafe, Albuquerque, NM, Additional group exhibitions: 1992, 1990. |
| 1991 | Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM "Common Ground, Selections from the Permanent Collection" |
| 1990 | Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, NM, "Southwest ‘90, A Fine Arts Competition” Purchase Award |
| 1989 | LewAllen/Butler Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM |
| 1987 | Stables Art Center, Taos, NM, “Non-Objective Art”, Invitational Exhibition
Commision: La Luz Del Sol, Ovenwest Corporation, Albuquerque, NM |
| 1986 | Traveling Exhibition, ”Skulls”
Janie Beggs Fine Arts, Ltd., Aspen, CO, Linda Durham Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, Carol Sayre Gallery, Thoreau, NM |
| 1985 | Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM, “On the Wall - Off the Wall”
Kron/Reck Gallery, Albuquerque, NM, “Art Furniture” |
| 1984 | Las Vegas Art Museum, Las Vegas, NV "National Small Sculpture Juried Competition”
Janus Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, “Landmarks” |
| 1983 | Kimo Gallery, Albuquerque, NM, “New Work” |
| 1981 | Gallery K, Washington, DC, “Sculptures” |
| 1980 | Downtown Center for the Arts, Albuquerque, NM, “Narrative Art”
Hill’s Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, “New Work” |
| 1979 | Meridian Gallery, Albuquerque, NM, “Exhibition”
Downtown Center for the Arts, Albuquerque, NM, "Provocations and Regenerations” |
| 1978 | Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, NM, “Installations”
Hill’s Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, “Group Show” |
| 1974 | Lakewood College, Whitebear Lake, MN, “Northern Lights” Purchase Award |
PUBLICATIONS:
“Tinkering With Found Objects”, Albuquerque Journal, June 11, 2017
“Drip Tease, John Tinker’s Narrative Sculptures”, New Mexico Museum of Art, 2010
“Making Material Ideal”, El Palacio, Fall 2010 Vol. 115/No. 3
“Tinker’s Toys”, Albuquerque Journal, Santa Fe/North, Sept. 3, 2010
“John Tinker at Linda Durham”, AdobeAirstream, March 28, 2010
“John Tinker, Linda Durham Contemporary Art”, THE Magazine, May, 2010
“Sweet Nothings”, The Santa Fe Reporter, March 24, 2010
“An Overflowing Heart”, Pasatiempo, The New Mexican, August 13, 2010
“John Tinker: Fruta Tecnica y Otra Delectica”, Pasatiempo, The New Mexican, March 26, 2010
“John Tinker: New Works”, The Magazine, Volume 12, Number 7, December, 2004
"Art Matters”, Pasatiempo, The New Mexican, June 23, 2000
"Dreams Coaxed into Daylight”, Albuquerque Journal, October 9, 1997
"Tinker - Stripped Down for the 90’s", Santa Fe Reporter, October 18, 1995
"New Work Invites Mind to Experience Sensations”, Albuquerque Journal, October 12, 1995
"John Tinker and Lenor Tawney at the Center for Contemporary Arts”, Pasatiempo, The New Mexican, August 16, 1991
"John Tinker at Graham Gallery”, Art in America, October 1989
"Painter Fashions Whimsical Reality”, Albuquerque Journal, March 3, 1989
“Albuquerque Letter”, Artspace Magazine, Volume 10, Number 1, winter 1985-86
”Four at Kimo”, Art Lines, Volume 5, Number 2, February 1984
”New Work Statement on Ironies of Society”, Albuquerque Journal, December 18, 1984
“Gallery Glimpses”, Albuquerque Tribune, December 23, 1983
"Art Review”, The New Mexican, December 6, 1980
"Visual Arts Review”, Santa Fe Reporter, December 11, 1980
SELECTED COLLECTIONS:
Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM
Besser Collection, Santa Fe, NM
Center For Inquiry, Los Angeles, CA
Eason Collection, Santa Fe, NM
Christopher Gongolas, Athens, Greece
Linda M. Jones Inc., Greensboro, NC
Lakewood College, Whitebear Lake, MN
Lambda Legal, Los Angeles, CA
Janine Latiner International, Newark, NJ
La Luz Del Sol, Ovenwest Corporation, Albuquerque, NM
Libros San Cristobal, Antigua, Guatemala
New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale, AZ
Swiss-Costell Collection, Washington, DC and Corrales, NM
Komei Wachi Collection, Washington, DC
The White House Collection, Washington, DC
RELATED EMPLOYMENT:
Exhibition Designer
Museums of New Mexico/Department of Cultural Affairs, Santa Fe, NM 1989-2007
New Mexico Museum of Art
New Mexico History Museum
Museum of International Folk Art
Museum of Indian Arts and Culture
New Mexico State Monuments
Preparator
Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, NM 1984-89
UNM Art Museum, Albuquerque, NM 1976-77
Exhibition Staff
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN 1975
Adjunct Instructor
Gallery Practices, College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM 1999