J.B. Blunk
Encyclopedia
J.B. Blunk was a sculptor working primarily in wood and clay. In addition to his monumental pieces in wood and highly original work in ceramics, Blunk produced iconic works in diverse media including jewelry, painting, bronze, and stone.
, where he studied physics, later changing his major and studying under noted ceramist Laura Andreson. After serving in the United States Army in Korea, he met sculptor Isamu Noguchi
in Japan and served apprenticeships with Japanese potter Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883–1959) and potter and Living National Treasure
Toyo Kaneshige (1896–1967). Blunk was the first American to apprentice into the line of descent of that country’s great ceramic tradition.
After returning to the U.S., Blunk was eventually able to build his own home and studio near the Marin County town of Inverness, California
, where he had a lifelong friendship and association with painter Gordon Onslow Ford
.
Museum. Writer Monica Quock Chan, in an article on the Oakland Museum, described “Planet” as follows: “In the entrance lobby sits a circular, benchlike sculpture 13 feet in diameter. Back in 1969, woodworker J.B. Blunk carved "The Planet" out of a single redwood burl, and it has been an icon of the museum for years.” Blunk created the sculpture from a two-ton piece of redwood with the help of then-apprentice Bruce Mitchell.
Glenn Adamson, writing in Woodwork magazine (October 1999), described “The Planet” as “an irregular, wildly textured circle, riddled with textural incident. The piece is unified by a rhythm of alternating jagged forms and restful, smooth shapes. The work has been called ‘one of the most touched pieces of sculpture you could find,’ and indeed it still serves as a play space, bench and oversized toy for visitors to the museum." Artist Garry Knox Bennett has said, “It’s a masterpiece. It’s an absolute masterpiece. Not only does it look good, when you see kids climbing on that and under it, you know it’s eminently successful.”
Two other monumental works are “Magic Boat,” at the California Orientation Center for the Blind, and “Greens,” at Greens
, the restaurant operated by the San Francisco Zen Center
at the Fort Mason
Center in the Marina District of the city. In his Woodwork article, Glenn Adamson described “Magic Boat” as a “cradle-like nine-foot square sitting area with a rhythmic series of round projections that beckon to the hand.” Adamson characterized “Greens” as “a feat of engineering as well as a tour de force of woodcarving," a complex installation consisting in part of a “vertical redwood monolith” and “an assortment of small, rounded tables and stools.” The entire work was cut “from a single 22-foot diameter stump of redwood.” Like Blunk’s “other major installations,” Adamson said, “’Magic Boat’ and ‘Greens’ encourage a feeling of community through their circular compositions and inviting shapes.”
In 1988, Blunk collaborated with landscape architects Ron Wigginton
and Rachada Chantaviriyavit on “Wheat Walk,” a project for the University of California, Davis
, Arboretum. “Wheat Walk” was awarded first prize in an International Design Arts Competition. "Wheat Walk" has yet to be constructed.
Blunk’s work continues to be exhibited in galleries such as the Reform Gallery of Los Angeles, the 8 Gallery of San Francisco, and 101/Exhibition of Miami. His work is also offered at auction by firms such as Sotheby’s.
Sculptor Isamu Noguchi
characterized the contributions of J.B. Blunk as follows:
“I like to think that the courage and independence J.B. has shown is typically California, or at least Western, with a continent between to be free from categories that are called art. Here the links seem to me more to the open sky and spaces, and the far reaches of time from where come the burled stumps of those great trees.
“J.B. does them honor in carving them as he does, finding true art in the working, allowing their ponderous bulk, waking them from their long sleep to become part of our own life and times, sharing with us the afterglow of a land that was once here.”
Background and Influences
J.B. (James Blain) Blunk was born in Lawrence, Kansas. He graduated from the University of California, Los AngelesUniversity of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
, where he studied physics, later changing his major and studying under noted ceramist Laura Andreson. After serving in the United States Army in Korea, he met sculptor Isamu Noguchi
Isamu Noguchi
was a prominent Japanese American artist and landscape architect whose artistic career spanned six decades, from the 1920s onward. Known for his sculpture and public works, Noguchi also designed stage sets for various Martha Graham productions, and several mass-produced lamps and furniture pieces,...
in Japan and served apprenticeships with Japanese potter Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883–1959) and potter and Living National Treasure
Living National Treasure
Living National Treasure or Living Human Treasure is a title awarded in several countries, and denotes a person or a group which is regarded as a national treasure while still alive....
Toyo Kaneshige (1896–1967). Blunk was the first American to apprentice into the line of descent of that country’s great ceramic tradition.
After returning to the U.S., Blunk was eventually able to build his own home and studio near the Marin County town of Inverness, California
Inverness, California
Inverness is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located in western Marin County, California. Inverness is located on the southwest shore of Tomales Bay northwest of Point Reyes Station, at an elevation of 43 feet . In the 2010 census, the population was 1,304...
, where he had a lifelong friendship and association with painter Gordon Onslow Ford
Gordon Onslow Ford
Gordon Onslow Ford was one of the last surviving members of the 1930s Paris surrealist group surrounding André Breton....
.
Work
Among Blunk’s best-known and highly regarded public works is “The Planet” (1969), located in the lobby of the Oakland, CaliforniaOakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
Museum. Writer Monica Quock Chan, in an article on the Oakland Museum, described “Planet” as follows: “In the entrance lobby sits a circular, benchlike sculpture 13 feet in diameter. Back in 1969, woodworker J.B. Blunk carved "The Planet" out of a single redwood burl, and it has been an icon of the museum for years.” Blunk created the sculpture from a two-ton piece of redwood with the help of then-apprentice Bruce Mitchell.
Glenn Adamson, writing in Woodwork magazine (October 1999), described “The Planet” as “an irregular, wildly textured circle, riddled with textural incident. The piece is unified by a rhythm of alternating jagged forms and restful, smooth shapes. The work has been called ‘one of the most touched pieces of sculpture you could find,’ and indeed it still serves as a play space, bench and oversized toy for visitors to the museum." Artist Garry Knox Bennett has said, “It’s a masterpiece. It’s an absolute masterpiece. Not only does it look good, when you see kids climbing on that and under it, you know it’s eminently successful.”
Two other monumental works are “Magic Boat,” at the California Orientation Center for the Blind, and “Greens,” at Greens
Greens
Greens may refer to:*Leaf vegetables such as collard greens, mustard greens, spring greens, winter greens, spinach, etc.-Politics:Supranational* Green politics* Green party, political parties adhering to Green politics* Global Greens...
, the restaurant operated by the San Francisco Zen Center
San Francisco Zen Center
San Francisco Zen Center , is a network of affiliated Sōtō Zen practice and retreat centers in the San Francisco Bay area, comprising the City Center or Beginner's Mind Temple, the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, and the Green Gulch Farm Zen Center. The sangha was incorporated by Shunryu...
at the Fort Mason
Fort Mason
Fort Mason, once known as San Francisco Port of Embarkation, US Army, in San Francisco, California, is a former United States Army post located in the northern Marina District, alongside San Francisco Bay. Fort Mason served as an Army post for more than 100 years, initially as a coastal defense...
Center in the Marina District of the city. In his Woodwork article, Glenn Adamson described “Magic Boat” as a “cradle-like nine-foot square sitting area with a rhythmic series of round projections that beckon to the hand.” Adamson characterized “Greens” as “a feat of engineering as well as a tour de force of woodcarving," a complex installation consisting in part of a “vertical redwood monolith” and “an assortment of small, rounded tables and stools.” The entire work was cut “from a single 22-foot diameter stump of redwood.” Like Blunk’s “other major installations,” Adamson said, “’Magic Boat’ and ‘Greens’ encourage a feeling of community through their circular compositions and inviting shapes.”
In 1988, Blunk collaborated with landscape architects Ron Wigginton
Ron Wigginton
Ron Wigginton is an American artist and landscape architect. Wigginton has won numerous awards for his landscape designs and built projects. His paintings and sculptures are found in West Coast museums and many private collections...
and Rachada Chantaviriyavit on “Wheat Walk,” a project for the University of California, Davis
University of California, Davis
The University of California, Davis is a public teaching and research university established in 1905 and located in Davis, California, USA. Spanning over , the campus is the largest within the University of California system and third largest by enrollment...
, Arboretum. “Wheat Walk” was awarded first prize in an International Design Arts Competition. "Wheat Walk" has yet to be constructed.
Blunk’s work continues to be exhibited in galleries such as the Reform Gallery of Los Angeles, the 8 Gallery of San Francisco, and 101/Exhibition of Miami. His work is also offered at auction by firms such as Sotheby’s.
Sculptor Isamu Noguchi
Isamu Noguchi
was a prominent Japanese American artist and landscape architect whose artistic career spanned six decades, from the 1920s onward. Known for his sculpture and public works, Noguchi also designed stage sets for various Martha Graham productions, and several mass-produced lamps and furniture pieces,...
characterized the contributions of J.B. Blunk as follows:
“I like to think that the courage and independence J.B. has shown is typically California, or at least Western, with a continent between to be free from categories that are called art. Here the links seem to me more to the open sky and spaces, and the far reaches of time from where come the burled stumps of those great trees.
“J.B. does them honor in carving them as he does, finding true art in the working, allowing their ponderous bulk, waking them from their long sleep to become part of our own life and times, sharing with us the afterglow of a land that was once here.”
Legacy
Following the wish of J.B. Blunk, his family has established the J.B. Blunk Residency at his home and studio at Inverness, California. Information on the Residency may be found at the link below. Biographical information along with lists of collections and exhibits plus photographs of J.B. Blunk’s work—and himself at work—may be found at the official J.B. Blunk website listed below.Selected Exhibits
- 1954 One-Man Show of Drawings and Ceramics at Chou-Koron Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
- 1969 Wood Sculpture at Smithsonian Institution, "Objects USA," Washington, D.C.
- 1976 "Retrospective of Sculpture in the Bay Area, I," James Willis Gallery, San Francisco
- 1978 One-Man Show, "Sculptures 1952-1977," at the Craft and Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles
- 1981 One-Man show of Ceramics, "100 Plates Plus," Artspace, Los Angeles
- 1982 Group Show, American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York
- 1984 One-Man Show of Ceramics, "100 Plates Plus," Oklahoma State University, Norman
- 1989 One-Man Show, sculptures in bronze, ceramics, stone, wood, Smith Anderson Gallery, Palo Alto
- 2000 Solo Show, "California Spirit," Bolinas Museum, CA
- 2008 Design Miami/Basel, with Reform Gallery, Basel, Switzerland
Selected Collections
- San Francisco Museum of Modern ArtSan Francisco Museum of Modern ArtThe San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a modern art museum located in San Francisco, California. A nonprofit organization, SFMOMA holds an internationally recognized collection of modern and contemporary art and was the first museum on the West Coast devoted solely to 20th century art...
- Oakland Museum of California
- Stevenson CollegeStevenson CollegeAdlai E. Stevenson College is a residential college at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Currently, the college is host to the Linguistics Department, as well as many humanities faculty....
, University of California, Santa CruzUniversity of California, Santa CruzThe University of California, Santa Cruz, also known as UC Santa Cruz or UCSC, is a public, collegiate university; one of ten campuses in the University of California... - Stanford UniversityStanford UniversityThe Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
- Objects U.S.A., Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian InstitutionThe Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, Washington, D.C. - Grubb and Ellis, Oakland, CA
- Weyerhauser Company, Tacoma, Washington
- San Francisco Zen CenterSan Francisco Zen CenterSan Francisco Zen Center , is a network of affiliated Sōtō Zen practice and retreat centers in the San Francisco Bay area, comprising the City Center or Beginner's Mind Temple, the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, and the Green Gulch Farm Zen Center. The sangha was incorporated by Shunryu...
- State of California
- Lawrence Hall of ScienceLawrence Hall of ScienceThe Lawrence Hall of Science is a public science center featuring hands-on exhibits and activities. Located in the hills above the University of California, Berkeley campus, LHS is also a resource center for preschool through high school science and mathematics education.Established in 1968 in...
, Berkeley, CA - City of Thousand Oaks, CA
- City of Menlo Park, CA
See also
- Guide to Architecture in San Francisco and Northern California. David Gebhard. Gibbs Smith Publishers, 1986. ISBN 0879052023
- The Maker's Hand, American Studio Furniture, 1940 -1990. MFA Publications. Boston, 2003. ISBN 0878466622
- The Life of Isamu Noguchi: Journey without Borders. Masayo Duus. Princeton University Press, 2004. ISBN 069112096X
- California Design: The Legacy of West Coast Craft and Style. Suzanne Baizerman, et al. Chronicle Books, 2005. ISBN 0811843742
- Modern Americana: Studio Furniture From High Craft to High Glam. Julie Iovine and Todd Merrill. Rizzoli, 2008. ISBN 0847830535
- Studio Furniture of the Renwick Gallery: Smithsonian American Art Museum. Oscar P. Fitzgerald. Fox Chapel Publishing (September 1, 2008). ISBN 1565233670