Towers and Shrines

He is Locked in a Race Against Time
mixed media assemblage (front)
53.5"h x 26"w x 9.75"d

September 30 - November 2, 2003

Opening Reception:

Friday, October 3rd, 7-10 pm

Art Night in Ann Arbor

Showing at the Washington Street Gallery from September 30th to November 2nd, John Gutoskey's Towers and Shrines, magical boxed assemblages, reveal a fearless use of materials, color and passion. An opening reception to meet the artist will be Friday evening, October 3rd from 7-10 pm.

Strongly influenced by Mexican retabloes, Day of the Dead altars, Brazilian oratories and Haitian voodoo shrines Gutoskey's assemblages express an unabashed, unashamed use of spirituality, wild expressive color, beauty and pain. Delighting in using found objects that have been handled by other hands and the juxtaposition of seemingly opposing things, his new works incorporate handblown glass objects, etched and sandblasted, into his often humorous, slightly macabre, always thought provoking mixed media pieces.

Much of his art springs from his practice of meditation and his profession as a massage therapist alleviating his patients' pain. "It's all about bringing balance to your life," Gutoskey says. "Balancing the suffering and pain with the beauty and learning to transcend it."

St. Theresa (seated)
mixed media assemblage

Clear Comprehension of Purpose
mixed media assemblage

Other artists also exhibiting this month>>