Information
Artist's Statement
The practice of art making needs to be nurtured by life experience and challenging myself. Learning about culture, science, history, nature and the human mind are vastly important parts of producing art. It comes from intuition, inspiration and observation.
The abstract paintings in my portfolio are from an inner voice and intuitive discovery. Focusing on color, texture and shape, the paintings are the energy of existence.
The sculptures reflect the restoration of the ruins in Greece. Artisans reassemble the pottery and architecture of ancient Greece with care and respect. The series of sculptures are inspired by those restored objects with a sense of classical and universal forms.
My travel works and journals are completed from direct observation through drawing, painting and photographs. The observation intensifies the senses. These artworks strengthen and add to the vocabulary of my art. This is an ongoing discipline that is consistent throughout my career as an artist.
These three methods complement one another. The abstract paintings are composed without a plan and then identifying the content afterward, the sculptures are inspired by the artisans and the travel artworks are like practicing the piano.
Notes and Chords cross connects art and music. The idea came from the process of creating a series of small paintings. Hanging the paintings side by side on the studio wall, I realized that a melody was being formed. Collaborating with a composer, the paintings will become a manuscript for piano and violin. The content is of the warm and cool moments that collide in life.
Biography
John Viles received his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute, MO 1980. He was awarded a scholarship to attend the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, MA 1979. He received his MFA from the Cranbrook Academy of Art and was awarded the Head Teaching Assistantship, MI 1983. His artwork has been included in over seventy exhibitions and is in private collections in the Mid-Atlantic, Mid-Western regions of the US and internationally. He is in the permanent collections of Herman Miller, MI, University of Maryland Global Campus, MD and the Ethniki Pinakothiki Museum, Athens, Greece. His travel journals include writing, drawing, painting and photography completed from direct observation. He journeyed to visit the great pyramid, Chichen Itza, continuing his journal studies, Mexico 1989. As a member of the Biology Department of Towson University’s expedition to the Galapagos Islands, he studied and observed the natural habitats and theories of Charles Darwin, Ecuador, 1990. He was the recipient of a grant from Loyola University for his collaborative production and set design of Tarantella, MD 1990. He received a Visual Arts Grant from the Howard County Center for the Arts, MD 1990. He received the Jurors Choice Award by Garry Viken, Director of the Walters Art Gallery, MD 2019. He was awarded nineteen Artist-in-Residency grants by the Maryland State Arts Council, MD 1990-2001. He was selected to represent the city of Baltimore’s Sister City Program in Piraeus, Greece. He also exhibited paintings and sculptures at gallery N. Psychiko Athens, Greece, 1995. During a visit to Japan, he had the opportunity to stay in a traditional Japanese home. There he went to the premier Zen Garden, Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto to continue his journal activities, Japan 1999. The result was a two year series of paintings. He was a recipient of the Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award in Sculpture, MD 2001. He received a Public Art Grant at the Roland Park Country School, MD 2001-2002. In Bangkok and Chang Mai Thailand he engaged in drawing and photo documentation of Wat architecture, Thailand 2003-2004. That resulted in a four year series of paintings. His paintings were included in the LED project, MD 2015. He was awarded the Governor’s Honorable Mention Award for artistic excellence presented by Maryland’s first lady Yumi Hogan, The ceremony and exhibition at the Lowe House, MD 2017. At Johns Hopkins University he received an honorarium for his participation in the Sticks and Stonesexhibition, MD 2019.
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EDUCATION
MFA, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Painting, 1983
BFA, Kansas City Art Institute, Painting, 1980
Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Painting, 1979
EXHIBITION RECORD
Johns Hopkins University, Sticks and Stones, MD 2019
Dorchester Center for the Arts, Wellness in the Storm, MD, 2019
Baltimore County Arts Guild, We the People, MD 2018
Maryland State Arts Council, Dusk to Dawn, MD 2018
Hartford County Public Library, Art Without Boundaries, MD, 2017
Lowe House Office Building, Behavioral Health Awareness Art Show, Hosted by First Lady Yumi Hogan, MD, 2017
Visual Aids, Post Cards from the Edge, New York, NY, 2016
Maryland Institute College of Art, Decker Library, Edible Books Competition, MD, 2016-2019
LED Art Billboard, Baltimore MD, 2015
Amalie Rothschild Gallery, Highlandtown Arts District Association Exhibition, MD, 2013
Creative Alliance, The Big Show, MD, 2011, 2012, 2013
Howard County Center for the Arts, Art Maryland, MD, 2012
The Windup Space, Station North Salon Show, MD, 2012
Elmhurst Art Museum, National Art Premiere 2010 Juried Exhibition, IL, 2010
Kansas City Art Institute, Art and Design Exhibition/Auction, MO, 2009
Maryland Art Place, Out of Order, Exhibition/Auction, MD, 2009
Katharine Butler Gallery, 4th Annual National Juried Exhibition, FL, 2009
Fleckenstein Gallery, Grand Opening in Hampden, MD, 2008
Fleckenstein Gallery, Group Summer Show, MD, 2008
Julio Art Gallery, Faculty Exhibition, Loyola College of Maryland, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007
Howard County Center for the Arts, Art MD 2006, Juried Exhibition, Gary Vikan–Juror, MD, 2006
Bogigian Gallery, Passages East, Solo Exhibition, Wilson College, PA, 2006
Sellinger Gallery, Solo Exhibition, Loyola College of Maryland, 2005-2006
Howard County Center for the Arts, Art MD, Juried Exhibition, Stephen Bennett Phillips–Juror, MD, 2001
The Three Arts Club of Homeland, Group Exhibition, Loyola College of Maryland, 2000
Howard Community College Art Gallery, Faculty Exhibition, MD, 1999
Herman Miller Collection, Herman Miller Design Yard, MI, 1998-1999
Howard Community College Art Gallery, Faculty Exhibition, MD, 1996
Art Gallery N. Psychico, Late Twentieth Century American Abstraction, Two Person Exhibition, Greece, 1995
Montgomery College, Faculty Exhibition, MD, 1994
Creative Arts Council, 7thAnnual Fiber Art Competition and Exhibition, Group Exhibition, GA, 1994
Howard County Center for the Arts, Forms of Change, Collaborative Installation, MD, 1994
Howard Community College Art Gallery, Faculty Exhibition, Group Exhibition, MD, 1994
Dundalk Community College Art Gallery, Essences, Group Exhibition, MD, 1993
School #33 Art Center, Lotta Art, Group Exhibition and Benefit, MD, 1992
Mosely Gallery, Warning Works, Solo Exhibition, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, 1992
Howard Community College Art Gallery, Industrial Strength: Textiles and Objects, Solo Exhibition, MD, 1992
Katzenstein Gallery, Industrial Strength: Textiles and Objects, Solo Exhibition, MD, 1992
Harborplace and the Gallery, City Visions Invitational, Group Exhibition, MD, 1991
Tell Tale Hearth, Sowebo, Art Auction and Exhibition, Group Exhibition, MD, 1990-1991
Sowebo Festival, Nuclear Foliage, Outdoor Installation, MD, 1991
McManus Theater, Tarantella, Performance Art Collaboration, Loyola College of Maryland, 1990
Holtzman Gallery, Faculty Exhibition, Towson University, MD, 1990
Julio Art Gallery, Nuclear Salad Bar, and Nuclear Foliage, Indoor and Outdoor Solo Installations, 1990
Dundalk Community College Art Gallery, Self-Portrait Group Exhibition, Indoor Installation, MD, 1990
Howard County Center for the Arts, Nuclear Foliage, Outdoor Installation, MD, 1990
Columbia Festival for the Arts, organized by the Howard County Arts Council, Nuclear Foliage, Outdoor Installation, MD, 1990
Theater Project Gallery, Diverse Works Exhibition, Group Exhibition, MD, 1990
Howard County Center for the Arts, Transitions Into Fieldless Painting, Solo Exhibition, MD, 1990
Rosenberg Gallery, Reading Between the Lines, Two Person Exhibition, Goucher College, MD, 1989
Sowebo Festival, Group Exhibition, MD, 1989
Rockland Arts Center, Maryland’s Best ’88, Juried Exhibition, Ned Rifkin-Juror, MD, 1988
Sylvia Cordish Fine Art, Important Works on Paper, Group exhibition, including Andy Warhol MD, 1988
Sylvia Cordish Fine Art, Summer Group Show, MD, 1988
Katzenstein Gallery, Line Songs, Solo Exhibition, MD, 1987
The Life of Maryland Gallery, Director’s Choice, Group Exhibition, MD, 1987
Maryland Art Place, Benefit Art Sale and Exhibit, Group Exhibition, MD, 1987 David Strawn Art Gallery, Line/Investigation, Solo Exhibition, IL, 1987
The Loyola College of Maryland Art Gallery, Line/Investigation, Solo Exhibition, MD, 1986
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Inc., Works on Paper, Solo Exhibition, MD, 1985
The Offices of Dr. Isaac L. Goodman, P.A., Rhythm’s in Yellows, Oranges, and Blues, Interior Mural, MD, 1983
Public Mural for the City of Detroit, Festive Circles, Stripes, and Triangles, appointed by Senator Jack Faxon and Cranbrook Academy of Art, MI, 1983
Cranbrook Academy of Art Museum, Graduate Exhibition, MI, 1983
Cranbrook Academy of Art Museum, Summer Student Exhibition, MI, 1982
Betty Robbins Gallery, Solo Exhibition, Columbia Art League, MO, 1981
Bill Shipman’s Gallery, Group Exhibition, MO, 1981
Kemper Gallery, Graduate Degree Group Exhibition, MO, 1980
Epperson House Gallery, Group Exhibition, MO, 1978-1980
Clayton House, Three Person Exhibition, MO, 1979
TEACHING
Beth el Center for Life Long Learning, Art Instructor, MD, current
Loyola College of Maryland, Affiliate Faculty, Fine Arts Department, MD, 2000-2007
Howard Community College, Adjunct Faculty, Fine Arts Department, MD, 1991-1999
Towson University, Adjunct Faculty, Fine Arts Department, MD, 1990, 1991, 1998
Montgomery College, Adjunct Faculty, Fine Arts Department, MD, 1994-1995
Dundalk Community College, Adjunct Faculty, Fine Arts Department, MD, 1990-1994
St. Mary’s College, Visiting Assistant Professor, Division of Arts and Letters, MD, 1989-1990
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Instructor, MD, 1984
Ateaze Senior Center, Painting Instructor, MD, 1984
School 33, Painting Instructor, MD, 1984
Chimes, Silk Screen Instructor, MD, 1983-1984
Private Lessons, Studio Instructor, MD, 1984-1985
Columbia Art League, Painting Instructor, MO, 1980
Woodhaven School for Deaf and Blind, Instructor, MO, 1980-1981
Laurelhaven, Cottage Activities Specialist, MO, 1975-1976
AWARDS
Governor’s Honorable Mention Award, Lowe House Office Building, Hosted by First Lady Yumi Hogan, MD, 2017
Artist-In-Education Residence Grants - recipient of 19 grants in Public Schools, Maryland State Arts Council, 1991-2003
Public Art Residency, Roland Park Country School, MD, 2001-2002
Individual Artist Award, Maryland State Arts Council, 2001
Audience Choice Award, Sowebo Arts Festival, MD, 1991
Performance Art Grant, Tarantella,McManus Theater, Loyola College of Maryland, 1990
Visual Arts Grant, Howard County Center for the Arts, MD, 1990
Juror’s Choice Award, Ned Rifkin–Juror, Maryland’s Best ’88, Rockland Arts Center, 1988
1st Annual Critics’ Residency Program, Maryland Art Place, 1986
Head Teaching Assistantship, Cranbrook Academy of Art, MI 1982
Scholarship Award, Cranbrook Academy of Art, MI 1981
Scholarship Award, Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, MA, 1979
GUEST LECTURES
Gallery Talk: Passages East at Bogigian Gallery, Wilson College, PA, 2006
Gallery Talk: Faculty Exhibition at Julio Art Gallery, Loyola College of Maryland, MD, 2005
Lecture: Public Art at St. John the Evangelist School, MD, 1999
Lecture: Sculpture and 3-Dimensional Design at Bollman Bridge Elementary School, MD, 1993
Lecture: Sculpture and 3-Dimensional Design at Friends School, MD, 1992
Gallery Talk: Drawing Outside the Lines at Dundalk Community College Art Gallery, MD, 1992
Lectures: Sculpture and 3-Dimensional Design at Howard Community College, MD, 1991-1992
Lecture: Artist Housing at Space Chase Conference, Philadelphia College of Art, PA, 1987
Lecture: Artist Housing at the Walters Art Gallery, MD, 1987
Gallery Talk: Line/Investigationat Julio Art Gallery, Loyola College of Maryland, MD, 1986
Seminar: The Works of Albert Pinkham Ryder at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, MI, 1983
Presentation: Personal Work Past and Present at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, MI, 1982
Lecture: The Influence of Ingres on Picasso at the Kansas City Art Institute, MO, 1979
Miscellaneous
Exhibition Designer, Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures, MD, current
Board of Directors, Remington Neighborhood Alliance, MD, 2012-2017, Vice President 2016-2017
Loyola College of Maryland, Advisor for Mural Project, 2006
Pickersgill Retirement Community, Designer for Public Art Project, MD, 2002
Julio Art Gallery, Juror for Student Exhibition, Loyola College of Maryland, MD, 2000
1997
Bank of America, Designer for Public art project, NC, 1999
Maryland Artist’s Equity Foundation, Judge for Scholarship Competition, Towson University, MD 1992, 1997
Howard Community College, Coordinator of Student Exhibitions-, MD, 1992-1993
Dundalk Community College Gallery, Curator of Drawing Outside the Lines, MD, 1992
Howard County Public Schools, Exhibition Critic, Howard County Center for the Arts, MD, 1991
Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Art and Culture, Arts Administrator, MD, 1985-1989
Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Art and Culture, Panelist for the Baltimore Mural Contest, MD, 1986
St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Curator of Self-Portrait Exhibition, Lobby Gallery, 1989-1990
Loyola College of Maryland, Juror for Outdoor Invitational Art Exhibition, MD, 1988
Artist Housing Board of Directors, Advisor, MD, 1986-1988
COLLECTIONS
Ethniki Pinakothiki Museum, Permanent Collection, Greece
University of Maryland Global Campus, Permanent Collection, MD, Herman Miller Collection, MI
Included in private collections in the mid-Atlantic and mid-Western regions of the U.S., Japan and Greece