Sculptor and Ceramicist Jon McMillan at Mary Baldwin’s Hunt Gallery

From August 31 through September 25, 2015, the exhibition Symbiosis?: New Sculpture by Jon McMillan will be on view at Mary Baldwin University’s Hunt Gallery. Jon McMillan is an artist and educator residing in Fredericksburg, where he is an assistant professor of ceramics at the University of Mary Washington.

McMillan holds an MFA from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and a BFA from James Madison University, where he also earned a minor in art history. After earning his undergraduate degree, McMillan worked for seven years as a full time potter. Currently, he makes functional and sculptural ceramic artwork, both of which are exhibited nationally and internationally. Recently, McMillan taught ceramics workshops in Houston and in Vallauris, France, where he also undertook a month-long artist residency.

McMillan’s recent sculptural work will be on view at Hunt Gallery, within which he explores dualities — “simple and complex, formal and conceptual, internal and external” — that focus on the curious and sometimes challenging intersections of nature and culture. McMillan says the following about the work: “I use juxtaposition and ambiguity to create objects and installations that address both general and specific dichotomies, allowing viewers to bring their own experiences to bear in the interpretation of the work. While this body of work generates from ideas related to my own personality and humankind’s relationship with the natural world, I do not wish to dictate these concepts to my audience. Instead, I strive to engage the viewer by making objects that pique interest through their vague and surreal nature. Although the forms and surfaces in each component of the work are evocative, they are not immediately recognizable. In the end, my hope is to encourage dialogue by raising questions instead of providing answers.”

A reception will be held for the artist 4:30–6 p.m. on September 7 in Hunt Gallery. The public is invited to attend.

Hunt Gallery is dedicated to the exhibition of contemporary work in all media by regionally and nationally recognized artists. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday during the college’s academic year. Hunt Gallery’s schedule for the 2015–16 academic year can be found online.