Earl O. James
Earl James’ Sculptures Reflect Migrant Voyages in Pathways and Passages
Pathways and Passages is a poignant exhibit addressing movement, specifically the human migratory movement. Earl O. James creates boat-like mixed media sculptures amplifying a “crossing” message that explores the turbulent passage of people to an unfamiliar place. James uses multiple methods including metal welding, shaping wood, casting and carving waxes, creating molds for pouring hot metal and glass, cold-forming cement, and more. The completed works contrast antiquity with modern elements and emphasize timelessness and tenacity. By warping and manipulating materials, James’ sculptures may appear as though weathered in time. It seems as if his pieces bear their own history of endurance…much like that of the human spirit. Pathways and Passages will also showcase accompanying woodblock prints, invoking movement in an alternative dimension.
“Pathways and Passages explores the migration of people by way of commerce-based abduction, slavery, opportunity-based immigration, or conflict-based displacement. How people move has varied with time. Unfortunately, reasons like war, oppression, and want remain timeless and their voyages exist to this day. My focus in this exhibit is my impression of these ‘crossings;’ the boats, and impressions of boats, that ferried people from continent to continent
and river to sea or shore to shore.” - Earl James
About the Artist Earl O. James:
Born in Jamaica, West Indies, and raised in Rochester, New York, Earl O. James earned a BFA from The Cleveland Institute of Art in 1988 and an MFA from the State University of New York at Alfred University in 1990. He was a Studio Assistant at The Cleveland Institute of Art and has instructed several glass workshops at Penland School of Craft. He has created and worked in his Cleveland studio since 1990. He designs and makes both functional and nonfunctional blown glass objects from his molten glass furnace. Mixed media sculptural work was a major part of his artistic education and continues to be his passion and pursuit.