John Tuomisto-Bell

Artist Statement:
To make expressive statements about the human condition, I have cast bronze figures, portraits and head shapes, often painting the polished surface with paints and patinas. My elongated figures stand with arms at their sides in blithe acceptance; line up for battle in ambiguous detachment; and crouch or sit in a state of blank observation. I am involved in an ongoing investigation of the difference between individuals and collective society, portraying figures with little detail, emphasizing instead the stance of the figure and the commonalities they share—featureless masses that follow rather than lead. While many of my works reveal a moment of spiritual revelation, physical ecstasy, or personal contemplation, they ultimately represent the violent nature of humankind. Eschewing the traditional process of patination on my pieces, I heighten the emotional level of my work by using a combination of acrylic paints, raw pigments, and chemical patinas.

Meeting of the Minds

Bronze, Steel and Acrylic
70" x 32" x 16"
Unique Ed.
2008

A bomb

Bronze, acrylic and mechanism
67.5" x 18" x 18"
Ed. 4, #14
2008

War Head #1

Bronze and acrylic
29.5" x 23.5" x 24"
Unique
2008

War Head #2

Bronze and acrylic
29.5" x 23.5" x 23"
Unique
2008

Love and Peace

Bronze and acrylic
11.5" x 3" x 3"
Ed. 12, #1/12
2008

Small War Head

Bronze and acrylic
3.25" x 2.75" x 2.5"
Ed. 12, #2
2008

Small War Head

Bronze and acrylic
3.25" x 2.75" x 2.5"
Ed. 12, #3
2008

Untitled

Bronze and acrylic
9.5" x 7.5" x 7.5"
Unique
2008

Winner

Bronze and acrylic
13.5" x 4.5" x 3.5"
Ed. 12, #2
2008

Winner

Bronze and acrylic
13.5" x 4.5" x 3.5"
Ed. 12, #3
2008

America the Beautiful

Bronze, acrylic, and music box
11.5" x 3" x 3"
Ed. 12, #1/12
2008

Meeting of the Minds (maquette)

Bronze and acrylic
6.5" x 4.5" x 2"
Ed. 12, #3
2008

Meeting of the Minds (maquette)

Bronze and acrylic
6.5" x 4.5" x 2"
Ed. 12, #1/12

The Fight

Bronze and Acrylic
27" x 18" x 8"
2002
ed. 1/4

Cause and Effect #6

Bronze and Acrylic
15" x 8" x 13"
2005
ed. 3/4

Cause and Effect #7

Bronze and Acrylic
27" x 13" x 14"
2005
ed. 3/4

Cause and effect #9

Bronze and Acrylic
14.5" x 5.5" x 9"
2004

Follow the Leader

Bronze, Acrylic and Steel Base
28" x 66" x 121"
2004
unique

Portrait #3

Brone and Acrylic
8" x 5"
2003
ed. 2/12

Muscle Man

Bronze and Acrylic
29" x 12" x 8"
2007
edition of 4

Muscle Man #3 (head off)

Bronze and Acrylic
29" x 12" x 8"
2007
edition of 4

Muscle Man #2 (head down)

Bronze and Acrylic
29" x 12" x 8"
2007
edition of 4

Unstable Head

Bronze, Acrylic and Steel
9" x 3" x 3"
2006
edition of 12

Root

Bronze, Acrylic and Steel
10" x 5" x 3"
2006
edition of 4

Man with Blue Head #2

Bronze and Acrylic
28" x 17" x 14"
2001

Root #2

Polished Bronze, Pantyhose and Steel
32 pieces
42" x 25" x 3"
edition of 4

Common Roots

Bronze and Acrylic
94 pieces
78" x 85" x 1/2"
2007

Ugly Trait #1

Bronze
27" x 21.5"
2007

Untitled 1

Bronze and Acrylic
5" x 3" x 1/2"
2007

Untitled 2

Bronze and Acrylic
5" x 3" x 1/2"
2007

Untitled 3

Bronze and Acrylic
5" x 3" x 1/2"
2007

Untitled 4

Bronze and Acrylic
5" x 3" x 1/2"
2007

Unstable Head (lifesize)

Bronze, Acrylic and Steel
2007
edition of 4

Arm and Stone

Bronze and Stone
25" x 8" x 5"
2002

Arms and Stones

Bronze and Stone
54.5" x 10.25" x 8"
2002

Portrait

Bronze
13" x 10.5"
2002

Weapon

Bronze and Nickel/Chrome Electroplate
10" x 6" x 9"
2006
ed. 4

Portrait #4

Bronze and Acrylic
29" x 19"
2003
ed. 4 #2/4

Untitled

Bronze and acrylic
5.25" x 3.25"
2006

Untitled

Bronze and acrylic
6.75" x 5"
2002

Untitled

Bronze and acrylic
6" x 3.5"
2002

Untitled

Bronze and acrylic
4.5" x 3"
2006