John Miller Blue Plate Special Cola & Straw 2008 Blown Pop Art Glass Sculpture

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Description

Inspired by Americana, Miller's work stands to bring new light and perspective to the often overlooked but ubiquitous cultural artifacts … Read more Inspired by Americana, Miller's work stands to bring new light and perspective to the often overlooked but ubiquitous cultural artifacts that form the American visual lexicon and lived experience. Maybe as impressive as the work itself, is the magnitude of which his creations come to life. At such an impressive scale, his process is truly spectacle to witness.
Pieces from his famed ‘Blue Plate Special’ series from 2008 have been displayed at the Society for Contemporary Craft, Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery, SOFA (Sculpture Objects & Functional Art) exhibition in Chicago and start a number of galleries across the US. The series pays homage to pop artist Claes Oldenburg, whose larger-than-life sculptures of everyday objects inspired Miller to investigate the translation of fast food to giantic proportions.

Th series speaks speaks to the fast-paced life of a blue-collar worker, according to the artist. “Breakfast of Champions,” which includes a beer, cigarette, lighter and donut, and “Brunch” with its Styrofoam cup, cigarette and Percocet, are perfect socio-political commentaries on the plight — and sought relief — of the working man and woman everywhere, not to mention the notion of a ‘real’ American identity, it’s “authentic’ traditions, it’s glorification of commodity culture and the daily rituals that this entails.

As rich as these associations are, Miller’s sculptures also function as pure form. Visual interest emerges from the bold interplay of the elemental lines and shapes that comprise each arrangement, which can each be seen as mini-installations that change character according to the way its parts are positioned.Thus, some groupings emphasize the formality of the medium with which it is made and how it moves; while others envelope a sense of humor and playfulness.

“My work is about control and proportion as much as it is about finding new textures and forms,” Miller says

This listing is for the monumental glass of fizzy soda (signed and dated) with straw in the series. Yellow Mustard, Ketchup, Hamburger, French Fries (Curky and Crinkle) also available.


Provenance:
Private Collection, Los Angeles
Russell Gallery, New York

Artist statement:
My work reflects both a love of the immediacy of the glass material and a respect for its demanding properties. Some pieces are very formal and about glass and how it moves; others envelope a sense of humor and playfulness. I am always interested in pushing the medium to its heights. My work is about control and proportion as much as it is about finding new textures and forms... While looking through images of the work of Pop artist’s from the 1960's, something clicked for me. Previously, I had been making artwork that revolved around serious topics. I felt that this work revealed only one side of me. The predominant side of my personality is very loose and comical, but this had not come out yet artistically.
One of my main influences growing up was the silent comedy genius of Buster Keaton. Although humor was central to his art, he was intensely serious about his work. I feel our approach to the creative process is similar. Keaton managed to find a balance between his difficult life and his brilliant slapstick gags. Similarly, I try to find equilibrium between the intensity of glass blowing and the humor which can be found in art and the art making process.”

Bio:
John Miller has been working in glass for more than 20 years and focuses on blown sculpture. He earned his MFA at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and has worked at Pilchuck Glass School for 15 years. He exhibits internationally, lectures and demonstrates nationally, and is an assistant professor and head of the glass department at Illinois State University. In 1998, he was awarded the C.G.C.A. Fellowship at Wheaton Village. See less