As an American artist of African Descent John's aesthetics are an exploration about cultural and spiritual identify living in America. John's artworks represent a cultural mixture of being an American of African Descent in all of its struggles, adversities, and challenges. This mixture embodies who we are in the Diaspora, reminding us that inevitably we must reclaim and reconcile our past in order to move forward. By the fact that we are present, validation is not required.
About the Artist
John resides in Maryland and is a mixed-medium artist. His artworks are a testament to his exploration into his cultural and spiritual identity and his lived experiences as an American artist of African Descent. After completing his academic degrees and working in the public/private sector as an Affordable Housing Specialist, he pursued creative studies at the Washington Sculpture Center and the Kari Minnick Glass Studio as an artist-in-residences. While at the Washington Sculpture Center he was introduced to warm glass, a technique requiring the use of a kiln and applying extreme temperatures to create fuse glass panels and glass casting into two-dimensional sculptures, John is a studio artist at the Washington Glass School located in Mt. Rainer MD. He is a member of Black Artists of DC and the National Capital Art Glass Guild. He has exhibited at the James E. Lewis Museum at Morgan State Univ, Cary Beth Cryor Gallery at Coppin State Univ, Glenview Mansion, Parrish Gallery, Live Casino, Montpelier Center and Smithsonian Museum of African Art.John Henderson Jr website The Glass Galleries John Henderson Jr website Washington Glass School John Henderson Jr website National Capital Art Glass Guild
Artist's Statement
He defends me and keeps me safe. He protects me like a shield/I use the shape of a shield as a metaphorical protective barrier, part of the armor of God.Featured Work
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