JinMan Jo is preoccupied with humanity's alienation, its diminishing ability to interact and communicate and "its constant pursuit of economic expansion." He addresses his societal concerns through sculpture that is personal, participatory and profound.
Jo's art may be seen and experienced at Art Access, 230 S. 500 West, through Wednesday.
"This is amazing," said Ruth Lubbers, executive director of Art Access. "I've been waiting for this show all year. Just the idea of having pure sculpture in the front gallery and nothing on the walls ... it's dramatic."
It is. The space encourages communion; wandering through this steel, stone and wood landscape offers opportunity to stop and consider the meaning of each form, its texture, patina and size.
Born in 1972, in Seosan, Korea, Jo received his undergraduate degree in environmental sculpture in 1999 at the University of Seoul. In 2003, he received his MFA in sculpture from the University of Iowa. Today, Jo is an assistant professor of sculpture at Utah State University.
When displaying his work, the artist invites others to make their own interpretations.
"I encourage the observers of my works," Jo said, "to relate their own experience to the ideas I examine as I portray my interpretation of the conflicts that we as humans experience in our lives."
After considering the monolithic "Self-Consciousness IV" and "The More, the Better," you feel as if you chanced upon two tortured, towering statements of self-imposed isolation. The welded nails of the first piece and the welded steel wires of the second seem to support this conclusion. However, when considered together with Jo's philosophy, they become even more meaningful.
"In my sculpture," he said, "each welding spot connects one piece of metal to another and represents this idea of interconnectedness and communication, and honors the value of each individual within the whole."
Jo has commented that his work — when considered in the grand scheme of all things — is only a little thing and limited to "the framework of shape — the circle, the rectangle, the square, etc."
"Self-Consciousness 112306," employing the rectangle motif, and "Self-Consciousness 101006," the circle, express lack of completeness: one is missing a substantial geometric chunk, the other can't seem to meet and join. According to Jo, this is intentional; it illustrates humanity's broken communication, its inability to connect.
Yet in "Self-Consciousness 110506" the circle form is complete, but only because the steel wires have been welded together to form a tight, unifying bond.
This dichotomy between connected and unconnected is fundamental to Jo's work.
"I take the energy of these feelings and use their impetus to express my hope for humanity, for others, and for myself," said Jo. "My work then is like a diary, chronicling the journey of finding my own identity ... I am free to express both my anger and my hope."
Such expression is found in "Self-Consciousness I." Here the artist corrals a hideously scarred tree trunk with a cage of welded nails. Is it imprisonment? Abuse? Whatever it is, it's not difficult to commiserate with the wood.
"There is much to be gained from the dark side of life and the strength we gain from our encounters with it," Jo said.
While all the work in this exhibit is thought provoking, one piece stands out: "Self-Consciousness II."
The sculpture is of nine bronze, patined branches holding aloft what could be described as a scrap of industrial debris. Is it a metaphor for nature upholding man's creations, or is it proof that man's destructive "use it up" tendency cannot stop life on our planet from continuing.
As Jo encourages viewer's interpretation, either explanation could be valid. However, the artist disclosed that the piece is another attempt at encouraging harmony: man and nature getting along, working together.
"Harmony," a 58-by-58-by-10-inch circle of steel illustrates Jo's intention best: One half is meant to be wood, the other something forged by man. And if the message seems rather obvious, it nevertheless remains a powerful expression of hope and a visually powerful design statement.
"It is my goal and purpose of my life to share my ideas with many people," said Jo, "and my sincere desire to motivate them to seek their own identity and connectedness to life, and to humanity."
If you go
What: Sculpture by JinMan Jo
Where: Art Access Gallery, 230 S. 500 West
When: Through May 7
Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
How much: Free
Phone: 328-0703
E-mail: gag@desnews.com