John Buck

Woodcut Prints and Kinetic Sculpture

June 6 - July 13, 2019

Opening Reception: “First Thursday,” June 6, 6-8pm
Artist talk: “Saturday After”, June 8 at noon

The Gallery is pleased to present our seventh one-person exhibition for John Buck. This show will include twelve large-scale woodblock prints and two of his kinetic wood sculpture. Since the early 1970s, John Buck has been making narrative sculptures and prints that employ his signature motifs of various objects and figures precariously in balance with each other.

The print’s woodblocks are made up of hand-carved interlocking blocks. The imagery consists of a primary subject, such as the most common tree in Hawaii, Ohia Lehua (at right), with a background made up of line drawings giving the subject context.

The kinetic sculptures are created by hand carving individual wood elements that are assembled into a complete work. Motors, along with a series of belts and cogs, allow objects in the sculptures to rock, or spin, and figures to make repetitive movements.

“Much of the imagery in my work is derived from research of historical events and the artists, scientists, explorers, and scholars involved in their pursuits. I feel very strongly about historical references being central to the content in my art.

Printmaking has a history of using popular imagery, humor, and politics to critique society. My work is an extension of that tradition and I frequently study art history and the work of other artists who have pursued these issues in their work. The compositions and images that I combine with the human figure are intended to illustrate concepts and ideas within the human experience.”

— John Buck

Work in exhibition