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Shannon Wright

Professor of Spatial Art, Art Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Art and Art History | San José State

 

San José State University's Department of Art and Art History celebrates traditional techniques, emerging media and the cross-pollination between the two. The Spatial Art program places equal emphasis on concept development, cultural critique and fabrication. Students learn sculpture in the campus's 6,000-square-foot foundry, its glass hot shop, a well-equipped ceramics area, a state-of-the art jewelry and small metals lab, as well as in the wood, plastics and sheet-metal facilities.

“The field of public a​rt is currently booming: At any given time, there are dozens of calls for proposals for large public sculpture projects," says Professor Shannon Wright, whose own work is in sculpture and installation art, utilizing materials such as wood, galvanized steel and laser-cut acrylic. “These range from low- to moderate-budget projects to high-profile international competitions to produce multimillion-dollar public artworks. Many of our graduates choose to teach or work in museums while they pursue gallery exhibition opportunities and public art commissions."

“Bringing a solo exhibition or a public art project to fruition requires tenacity, the willingness to fail repeatedly and an entrepreneurial attitude. These same qualities allow our graduates to find employment in a wide variety of fields that value creativity and adaptability. Perhaps the two most important skills I aim to instill in my students are iterative problem solving and constant self-reinvention."

Click each photo to read a description of the tool​s.
 

“I use the band saw with the table tilted to 45 degrees to cut the basswood into an octagon in preparation for turning on the lathe."

 

“I'm using an '8 sweep' carving gouge and beech mallet to chop away material (basswood) surrounding the area that will remain high and eventually be carved."

 

“These are the shavings that result from carving basswood with carving gouges."

 

“I'm using a roughing gouge to take a piece of basswood from the octagonal shape I have just given it on the band saw, to a basic cylindrical shape. The roughing gouge will be followed by finer scraper tools. I purchased the powered air-purifying respirator with a CSU RSCA grant​ several years ago, for use when I pour urethane casting resins. It is also a great asset when I am turning wood on a lathe, with its fog-free, full-visibility face shield."

 

“This grinder is set up with multiple wheels, including abrasive wheels, a leather buffing wheel and cotton buffing wheels. Carving gouges must be honed frequently to maintain their sharp edges."

 

“I'm preparing carvings to demonstrate the relief-carving process for my fall 2019 'Woodworking: Sculpture and Carving' class. The students will use the wood lathe to turn a mallet similar to my mallet in the photograph, before they begin their carving projects."

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Story: Michelle McCarthy

photoGRAPHY: Robert Bain

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