Connections 2 (2005)
About the Artist:
Born May, 27th 1981, in Lena Wisconsin, Jon Wos was diagnosed with Osteogenesis
Imperfecta, better known as brittle bones. His childhood was filled with fractures,
body castes, surgeries, and hospitals. Jon would spend most of his time in bed
drawing or making something with his hands. As a result of studies at the National
Institutes of Health, Jon got to go to Washington D.C. every 3-4 months, thus
expanding his world and horizons.
When Jon Wos got involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation he knew art was more
than a hobby. Jon had his wish to go to Disney world with my family granted.
When he got back, he drew the Disney castle and donated the work to Make-a-Wish
so they could auction it during their first Christmas extravaganza. A feature
story in the newspaper and the fact that his work was auctioned off for a good
price gave Jon confidence in his artistic ability. With the help of his art
teachers, Jon started entering small shows and contests, and as a freshman in
high school, received best of show in a student art contest. More important than
the small cash award, Jon’s work would hang in the U.S. capitol for one year.
For the first time in his life Jon was going to D.C. for something other than
his disability. It wouldn’t be the last. In May of 2005, Jon Wos graduated from
the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with a bachelor of Fine Art with an emphasis
in drawing, and sculpture.
Artist's Statement:
Due to my disability, I know time is something I cannot take for granted.
Therefore I use my time to the fullest and push my art as far as I can, always
keeping in mind that my gift could be taken away at any time. When I began
drawing, the images used to be from my head, and I would never know what they
meant. Now I feel I have more control over my concepts and can relate them
better with my life. The calm and flowing style, which I have adopted into my
art, can always be seen no matter if I use clay, glass, paint, or pencil. This
has shown me that the medium no longer inhibits my vision, and is only the
physical tool that I bring intangible ideas to life.
This collection of pieces is my expression of giving in to life. I no longer
use my time to complain about life or ignore its truths. I use art to explore
and make sense of life and my personal identity. Through exploring my life
with creating, art has become my life, and not only a way of expression.
The one thing that I hope people take out of my art is the fact that we make
our own reality, and we can either make it a positive or a negative place. I
try to convey this in my pieces with surreal and realistic images combined.
This way the onlooker is attracted to the representational, inviting them to
see my ideas through the surreal.
Exhibitions:
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2005 |
Octaconda,
Monk-Riesing Gallery and Boutique,
Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Invitational
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2005 |
The Artist as Subject,
Stolley Studios, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Invitational
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2005 |
N.E.W. College Art
Exhibition, University of Wisconsin Manitowoc,
Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Juried
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2005 |
Oneida Recreational
Center Art Exhibit,
Oneida Recreational Center, Oneida, Wisconsin. Juried.
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2005 |
Reeve Union student
art contest, Reeve Union,
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Juried.
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2005 |
Marble Madness,
Appleton Art Center, Appleton, Wisconsin Invitational.
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2005 |
Very Special Artists exhibit,
featured artist,
Beaver Dam Area Arts Association, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Invitational.
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2005 |
University of Wisconsin,
Oshkosh student Honours exhibition,
Oshkosh, Wisconsin Invitational.
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Awards:
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2003 |
Grand Prize Winner,
VSA Arts and Volkswagen of American Juried competition
"Road Trip: A Journey of Discovery", Washington, DC
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