Artwork and Essays
After graduating from San Jose State University with a BFA in the 1990’s, John joined in the high-tech boom to afford Silicon Valley rent putting art on hold. He was retrained in Project Management and Systems Engineering at Fairchild
Instruments’ Automated Test Equipment division (Schlumberger) and Hewlett-Packard’s Signal Analysis Division (Agilent), where he applied his creativity to new product launches.
When Agilent offshored manufacturing to Malaysia, John resigned rather than work on product launches that would facilitate thousands of layoffs locally. His recent artwork explores patriotic imagery celebrating America’s democratic and humanist ideals.
When Agilent offshored manufacturing to Malaysia, John resigned rather than work on product launches that would facilitate thousands of layoffs locally. His recent artwork explores patriotic imagery celebrating America’s democratic and humanist ideals.
Democracy at Stake, 2024
Christo-style wrapped obelisks for the 50th anniversary of the Running Fence. These wrapped obelisks do not mask politically-charged structures, as Christo’s wrapped Reichstag or the wrapped Arc de Triomphe. Rather they are hollow and highlight the concept of democracy.
Democracy at Stake, BRC 2024
“Democracy at Stake.” A 10-foot-high obelisk stake, wrapped in the style of Christo and made from similar material as the Running Fence. Installed at Burning Man 2024 on the path of the Black Rock City Ultramarathon and on the anniversary of the staking of the route for the Running Fence.
Illuminated from within, “Democracy at Stake” is a beacon of hope for democracy and survival of “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
Running Fence Run, 2024-2026
For the 2026 50th Anniversary of the installation of the Running Fence, a marathon and 10K is planned along the public roads adjacent to the original Running Fence.
RunningFenceRun.org for details.
One runner ran the marathon course along the Running Fence and was featured on the cover of Runners World in 1976. Christo’s fabric supplier, a long-distance runner and NYC marathon organizer, ran the public roads along the path of the Running Fence.
“Delivering a Message of Freedom” – an art installation planned for Burning Man 2026
Wrapped obelisks in the Christo-style honors the runners who delivered news in ancient Greece. Set in a 400m line with relay baton holders at the ends, the installation encourages participants to deliver a baton to the opposite end.
A successful delivery will trigger an Easter-egg light display event. The obelisks will also deliver a morse-code message of “freedom” every hour.
A Typecast Patriot #1, 2023.
Vintage Remington Typewriter with the keyboard exercise, “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country,” inspired by typewriter inventor Charles Sholes’ political history.
A Typecast Patriot #2, 2023.
8.5″x11″ typed page with the original keyboard exercise inspired by the political campaign of typewriter inventor and Wisconsin state-senator Christopher Latham Sholes with history. ASCII-art American Flag.
American Infinity, 2023
“…Government of the People, by the People, and for the People shall not perish from the Earth.” -Abraham Lincoln
Star Spangled Mobius Strip, 2022
A three-dimensional endless ribbon with one-side to represent our endless democracy.
“Stars and Stripes Forever!”
Endless ribbon magnet, 2003
An endless ribbon magnet inspired by the ubiquitous
“Support our Troops” magnets seen during the Gulf War.
A Capitol Hill Christmas Carol of a cynical politician wanting to be Speaker of the House but lacking enough votes. After having Scrooge-like
visions of the founding fathers, he transforms into a Constitutional Patriot and wins a bipartisan election.
Tragically, Kevin McCarthy chose to be a partisan “Squeaker of the House” for a very temporary “leadership” role.
Free online copy for review.
The State of America, 2022
The U.S. Flag by population density.
American Infinity, 2021
A reinterpretation of the 50 star “Stars and Stripes Forever” magnet. This design is inspired by the the thirteen colonies ratification of the Constitution which established America’s three branches of government. It celebrates the endless formation of more perfect unions as the Constitution is continually amended during dark periods expanding our democratic rights.
