Glenn Grishkoff has taught, performed and exhibited his work nationally and internationally in Japan, South Africa and Thailand. He was awarded special invitations from the Shigaraki Cultural Ceramic Park in Japan and from Chiang Dao Artist Residency in Thailand where he collaborated with hill tribe people and the famous "painting elephants". He has lectured at The Mashiko Museum of Art and The International Workshop Ceramic Art in Tokoname, Japan. The Oregon School of Art and Craft, The LH Project and the Florida Keys Community College have welcomed him as a visiting artist and lecturer. In 2008, Grishkoff was awarded the Idaho Commission on the Arts fellowship grant for his sculptural work. Grishkoff holds a MFA from the Claremont Graduate University and a BFA from California State Fullerton. He currently maintains a studio practice in Anaheim and Los Angeles and teaches workshops in performance, brush making and ceramics. He is currently a professor at Loyola MaryMount University in Los Angeles teaching upper division courses in Art and Ecology.
Artist Statement
California-based artist, Glenn Grishkoff, grew up watching his Russian father–born and raised in China–grind his own ink, calligraphically working with iconic glyphs onto rice paper. This childhood memory and his own experience in Asia taught Grishkoff the power of a brushstroke and the spirit of natural materials. The sculptural objects and performances he creates with clay, paper, wood, metal, glass, textiles and hair, reference his own story, the power of mark-making and the materials he uses.
Grishkoff believes that paying homage to the animal spirit within the physical world is an important part of human experience. The artist is also inspired by the sculptural qualities and possibilities of clay combined with other materials. Some of these material explorations result in objects that are used in performance. Grishkoff uses objects to establish a sensual connection between body and mind that ritualizes the performance space. Grishkoff often uses brushstrokes to represent breath, along with masks, garments, and sound. Together, these elements draw audiences into meditation and offer a spiritual experience.
Juror's Statement
When jurying an artist show I go beyond my own personal likes and dislikes acting in the moment and with my intuition. I rely on my background as a professional educator, artist and spiritual practitioner. We are judged the day we are born into this world and until the day we die. In an odd way we become accustomed to being judged by others in our daily lives but when we are judged on the quality of our creativity, and how it fits or doesn’t fit into society’s norms, this critique can become difficult to handle at times. Through my teachings I strive to free others from their fear of art to embrace the act of creativity as an essential component of daily life.
Some thoughts I often ask my students & artists friends to ponder & discuss when creating works of art:
- Are we born with talent or is it developed over time to be an accomplished artist? How does time play a role in making a work of art?
- For who and why do we make our artwork for? How can we stay true to ourselves?
- How does the creative process feed our soul and mesh into our daily life and the lives of others?
- Why are artist communities essential for healthy societies and cultures?
It was a pleasure being a juror for the Chaparral Artists group and I wish everybody the best in their creative endeavors and continued success.
Sincerely,
Glenn Grishkoff
