John Saurer
Associate Professor of Art
Department of Art and Art History
St. Olaf College
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The rhythm of walking along a railroad track or pacing the white lines down the middle of a highway; counting spaces between the cars of a coal train; the steady work of weaving material by hand: over-under-over-under; the breathing of a small child as she sleeps in the bed handmade by my wife. I have discovered that my artwork is a metaphor for order: sometimes re-expressing order found in the landscape, a mechanical process, the rhythm of form, personal relationships and the life around me. Each work is also a collaboration of many independent parts that are crafted to come together and express a larger whole.
I am uncomfortable with labels and would not pronounce myself only a draftsman, printmaker or sculptor - to me, art equals content and the expression of that idea may assume widely varied form and use of materials. Versatility and ability across varied media is a passion of mine and I believe this to be my particular role and gift as a teacher. Fortunately, at St. Olaf, I have the opportunity to teach drawing, prints and sculpture on a regular basis.
