David Harper Clemons

(http://www.taboostudio.com/artist_pages/d_clemons_as.htm 10-1-08)Education2007 MFA (Metals), San Diego State University, San Diego, CA2003-Present San Diego State University, San Diego, CA1999 B.F.A. in Studio Arts, (Metals & Painting), University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX1997 Associates Degree in Art, (Metal Sculpture) Austin Community College, Austin, TX 1992-1993 Tulane University, (Biology Art & Illustration), New Orleans, Louisiana (No Degree Earned)Work Experience2006-(Fall) Graduate Teaching Associate (instructor of record), Beginning Metals, San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, CA2006-(Spring) Graduate Teaching Associate (instructor of record), Introduction to Craft Arts, San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, CA2005-(Fall) Graduate Teaching Associate (instructor of record), Beginning Metals, San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, CA2005-(Summer) Graduate Teaching Associate (instructor of record), Blacksmithing and Fabrication, San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, CA2004-(Spring) Graduate Teaching Associate (instructor of record), Introduction to Craft Arts, San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, CA2003-2004 Graduate Teaching Associate (instructor of record), Intermediate Drawing, San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, CA2003 Mural Painter, Albert & Holmes Designs, San Diego, CA2000-2003 Adjunct Beginning Metal Sculpture Instructor, Austin Community College, Austin, TX1990-Present Freelance Illustrator, San Diego, CA & Austin, TX 1999-2001 Metal Designer and Fabricator, Darby & Romano Design, Austin, TX2000 Studio Assistant, Margo Sawyer Sculpture and Installation Artist, Austin, TX1998-1999 Music, Art, and Performance Program Instructor; Austin, TX1995-1998 Physical Therapy Aide Brackenridge Hospital; Austin, TX1991-1992 Assistant Framer, Clark Custom Framing; New Orleans, LA1989-1991 Framing Department Manager, Not Just Art Gallery; Austin, TXSelected Exhibitions (Solo shows marked by *)2007 Craft in America: Expanding Traditions-Two Year Traveling Exhibition, Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, AR, (Upcoming) Hand Jive Invitational Ring Exhibition, Taboo Jewelry Studio, San Diego, CA2006 *Positive ID, M.F.A. Thesis Solo Exhibition, Flor y Canto Gallery, SDSU, San Diego, CA Homegrown, SDSU Metals Alumni & Current Students, Jackson Gallery, SDSU, San Diego, CA Thoughts Materialized, SNAG Student Exhibition Mars Gallery, Chicago, IL SDSU Art Council Scholarship and Purchase Award Exhibition, Athenaeum Gallery, La Jolla, CA2005 Coded Messages, Flor y Canto Gallery, SDSU, San Diego, CA On the Verge, SNAG Student Exhibition, Reinberg Galleries, Cleveland, OH California Art Metal Now, Blue Room Gallery, Oakland CA Current Investigations in Metal Arts, Flor y Canto Gallery, SDSU, San Diego, CA UCSDSU Chatter, UCSD & SDSU Collaborative MFA Exhibition, Graduate Gallery, UCSD, La Jolla, CA Resources: Salt, Rubber, Steel, Bergman Gallery, Kent, OH2004 Scale, Diversity, and Ambition, Produce Gallery, San Diego, CA Full Service, Flor y Canto Gallery, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA Personal Effects, Invitational Jewelry Exhibition, Grove Gallery, La Jolla, CA Design in Wood, Del Mar Fairground, San Diego, CA2003 Purchase Award Exhibition, Jackson Gallery, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA2002 Coalition of Austin Black Artist, Dougherty Art Center, Austin, TX2002 & 2001 Faculty Exhibition, Austin Community College Austin, TX2001 Mercurial Flame, Dougherty Art Center, Austin, TX2000 Austin Art Scene 2, Art Center, Austin, TX1999 Metal Bound, Regis Warehouse, Austin, TX Art Support, Antone’s Perfomance Space, Austin, TX1998 & 1999 Austin Community College Faculty Exhibition, Dougherty Art Center, Austin, TX1998 SNAG Student Exhibition, Boulder, CO1997 & 1998 Student Art Exhibition, Blanton Gallery, University of Texas, Austin, TX1997 Student Art Exhibition, Dougherty Art Center, Austin, TXAwards/Scholarships2006 Graduate Equity Fellowship, SDSU, San Diego, CA The Collins Foundation Grant, Portland, OR Saul Belle Design Competition Finalist (Hollowware), Albuquerque, NM Paul Lindgren Scholarship; San Diego State University; San Diego, CA Art Council Award San Diego State University; San Diego, CA2005 Paul Lindgren Scholarship; San Diego State University; San Diego, CA2003 Paul Lindgren Scholarship; San Diego State University; San Diego, CA1999 Lucas Foundation Scholarship; University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX Ollie Trout Metal Scholarship; University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX Merit Scholarship in painting and metals; University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX1997 Best In Show; Juried Student Exhibition; Austin Community College, Austin, TX1993 Honorable Mention; Juried Student Exhibition, Tulane University, New Orleans, LAProfessional Activities & Public Works2007 Artist in Residence (Metals), Oregon College of Art and Craft, Portland OR (Upcoming)2005 Art Action: Katrina Relief Silent Auction (Organizer), San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 2004 Hand Forged & Fabricated Gate Commission/Installation, San Diego, CA2002-Present Metal Work Designer & Fabricator, Carver Library and Museum, Austin, TX2002 Carver Museum and Library Project, Artist Design Panelist, Austin, TX2000-2002 Studio And Installation Assistant for Margo Sawyer (Professor of Sculpture at the University of Texas), Austin Convention Center Project, Austin, TX2001 Barbara Jordan Memorial Sculpture Selection Committee, Austin, TXConferences Attended2006 SNAG Conference, Chicago, IL2005 The Other Side: National Furniture Society Conference; SDSU, San Diego, CA2004 & 2005 Yuma Symposium, Yuma, AZ2003 Silver of and from the West, Pasadena & San Diego, Ca.; organized by New York University 2001 SNAG Conference, Boulder, COVisiting Artist Lectures or Presentations2008 Yuma Symposium, Artist Presenter and Technical Demonstrator, Yuma, AZ (Schedule Confirmed)2005 The Other Side: National Furniture Society Conference, Artist Presenter (in Blacksmithing), San Diego State University, San Diego, CA2003 Silver of and from the West, Technical Demonstrator, Pasadena & San Diego, Ca.; organized by New York University Workshops Attended2005 Mold Making & Casting with Lin Stanionis, San Diego State University, SanDiego, CA Grisalle Enameling with Lisa Gralnick, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA Glass Casting with Dennis Chamberland, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA2004 Pewter Smithing with Fred Fenster, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA2003 Silk Screening & Enamel Painting, Diane Montag, San Diego, CA Tool Making with William Bastas, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA Chasing & Repousse with Marcia Lewis, San Diego State University, San Diego, CAAffiliations2000-Present Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG)1999-Present Artist Blacksmith Association of North America (ABANA) David H. ClemonsArtist StatementThe works for this exhibition mark a departure from my normal creative exploration. Typically my work attempts to investigate social commentary, probing issues revolving around the creation of racial identity. These pieces inspired by a different muse, flow from my assorted formal interest. An array of interests spanning childhood to adulthood in aviation, aerospace, machines of all types, mechanisms, and biology have firmly entrenched a multitude of images, forms textures, colors, and materials in my subconscious. Often too obscured by everyday life and the rigors of my other work, these influences are rendered imperceptible and not indulged or effectively utilized. Within these works I seek to mine my visual vocabulary, excavating the assorted artifacts from my past experiences and revisiting recent experiences. The subtle details of form, texture, and color are brought to the forefront of my recollections. Clearing away normal distractions I engaged and acquiesced to my whim to create and intuitively delve into this creative pool. At the root of theses forays into my psyche lay the visual cues for the work you see featured here.The work evolved as a responsive process, a process of thinking through dexterous problem solving and play with materials. Materials such as metal, plastic, levels, and stones are rendered to create associations alluding to collective recognitions of machines, science, and organisms. The development from piece to piece is not random but a fluid responsive process, measuring results and taking inspiration from one form in the inception of the subsequent form. I hope you enjoy the product of my reveries.