Paintings by John Sproul • Exhibit runs from March 11 to April 21, 2023
ARTIST STATEMENT:
John Sproul is intent on learning everything he can about who we are and what lies behind our actions. His fascination began with a personal desire to understand the reasons behind his doings attempting to grow emotionally, socially and psychologically and let go of those things that keep him from moving forward. That journey has led to an understanding that we are all connected and what lies beneath, although often manifest differently, is universal. Gaining understanding of himself has helped him to understand others. In his work he walks through what it is to be human - addressing fear and needing to be loved as they have manifest in himself and what he sees manifest in others. This includes subjects such as body image, loneliness, isolation, ego, etc. His conversation’s purpose is not to wallow, but to walk through these issues to what is underneath to try to find the truth of us, to find healing and ultimately to accept himself and others as he and they are. He works between the primal/subconscious and the narrative/consciousness putting the figure in unusual situations bringing forward questions of the paradox of being human. His other world colors reflect and emphasize the abnormal normalcy of these question. In his work, he is not looking for answers but for the next question which brings him a little closer to understanding what lies beneath the surface, hoping to get more light to see what lies underneath.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY:
John Sproul (b. 1968, Los Angeles, CA) works with the figure to explore human identity and experience pushing into what we know we don’t know from places we know. It is the way he explores and gains understanding of the world and himself. Sproul earned a BFA from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT in 1993. The artist has had over 20 solo exhibitions and participated in over 120 group exhibitions
internationally which include the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles; the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Salt Lake City; Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Salt Lake City; The Painting Center, New York; the Bipolar Projects, Barcelona; Galerie Metanoia, Paris; The Kunstwerk Carlshutte, Germany; and the Sienna Art Institute, Italy. As an arts advocate he served on the UMFA’s FOCA Executive Committee (2006-2013) (Chair in 2013); founded and directed the Foster Art Program (2009-2011); founded and directed the Utah Contemporary Art Think Tank (2010-2011); owned & directed Nox Contemporary Art Gallery (2010-2022); and is the director of The Art Group (2007-present).
AGE GROUP: | All Ages | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Exhibits | Arts & Creativity |
NOTE: The Main Library's Rooftop Terrace is closed for renovations.
Salt Lake City's Main Library, designed by internationally-acclaimed architect Moshe Safdie in conjunction with VCBO Architecture, opened in February 2003 and remains one of the most architecturally unique structures in Utah. This striking 240,000 square-foot structure houses more than 500,000 books and other materials, yet serves as more than just a repository of books and computers. It reflects and engages the city's imagination and aspirations. The structure embraces a public plaza, with shops and services at ground level, reading galleries above, and a 300-seat auditorium.
A multi-level reading area along the Glass Lens at the southern facade of the building looks out onto the plaza with stunning views of the city and Wasatch Mountains beyond. Spiraling fireplaces on four floors resemble a column of flame from the vantage of 200 East and 400 South. The Urban Room between the Library and the Crescent Wall is a space for all seasons, generously endowed with daylight and open to magnificent views.
