Viking_Yearbook_78

Jeff Johnson , a graduate student in theMaster of Fine Arts program at PSU , finds his time divi ded into three major areas: his work, his teaching, and his thesis. Jeff came to PSU three years ago, after graduating from the University of Cincinnati, to receive his masters in the field of ceramics. He has formulated definite ideas on the three facets · of his life. His work: " I was trained from the beginning as a potter. I had thought of becoming a functional potter but somewhere along the line I began to get really bored with just watching pots go round and round. " I took a lot of abstract design courses at the Univers ity of Cincinnati in the architecture pro– ~ram and a lot of that influence kept creeping .Jack into my work. "Most of my work now really deals with the environment and man 's intrusion into it. I get really involved with the ideal relationship between man and nature. It's a theme that has been around for thousands of years. But taking an old theme and doing it my way doesn 't bother me at all. " I have a lot of very organic, hand construct– ed forms opposed in the same sculpture to parts that look man-made. At the same time the man– made objects have an organic look to them. It's a play back and forth . They need each other-they are in a harmonious relationship in terms of balance. "Clay is a very sexual thihg; it moves when you ;>ush it. It gets slimy smooth or rough. It has a very physical, sensual feeling to it just by touching it. There is something about the im– mediacy of clay. It responds to your actions so fast and that, combined with how it feels , can be very sensual. "A lot of people get into sexual imagery with their clay and I think there is something about the clay that just leads to that. People say there is a sexual ness to my work. I'm aware of the people making these observations. It's not my original intent-but I won't deny it either. Ithink there is alot of sexual frustrations going on in all of us." Left: One of the three major facets of his life: Jeff works on his sculptures in preparation for an upcoming show. Above: Jeff teaches two night classes at PSU. Below: "One more hurdle." He works on his thesis.