About
Strap yourself in for a delightful romp that reflects the world in a fun house mirror, where truth is confounded by wonder, and the joy of whimsey reigns supreme.
A rich vein of ideas is hard-tapped here, with the resulting metaphors and symbols manifesting in an array of colourful, sometimes wry, and always evocative sculptures.
Let's call it what it is! Five decades of masterful ceramics have asked the same; in fact the identical question posed early in my career, and diligently pursued throughout the years - what is the answer to all that ails the human condition?
Enjoy.
Jordan's five decades of clay mastery is clearly evident. “Where does he get his ideas?” “What could he possibly be thinking?” – these are popular questions, as is the emphatic statement, “I really like his stuff!” Jordan is just fine with all of these comments.
Known for his wry and thought-provoking sculptures that explore and translate the world – as he sees it, his ideas seem to come from a magical other world.
“I’m an artist, in that, my work poses thoughts and questions for society to ponder. And perhaps it even offers some answers. As an artist, it’s my role to set up this conversation,” Jordan explains.
In university, Jordan further developed his adopted cartoon character world, the newt emerging as the ideal personification to poke fun at our modern society. He also found modelling funky and fantasy ceramic trucks held great satisfaction. And who doesn’t like trucks!
Repeated themes cover – garter snakes, a nod to his ancestral great grandparents who pioneered at Narcisse, MB; the black dog, the perennial witness, while skulls (including his time-honoured Pinocchio skulls), and skeletons – are reminders of our ever looming mortality and observance of our time here. His cast of characters present insights and well, truths, into this crazy complex world – in a refreshing scamp-like way. Gone is the innocent cartoon.
The Canoes, a 2017 commission, of this evocative Canadian artist, and master craftsman can be seen in The Common, on the main floor of The Forks Market.
The work of Jordan Van Sewell abounds in museums, private and corporate collections around the world, including Buckingham Palace.
