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Mark Messenger
Raised in Southern California, Messenger received a BA in History from
Westmont College in Santa Barbara, a Teaching Credential in Art from California
State University, Fullerton and a Masters of Fine Arts from San Diego State
University. He moved to the San Francisco East Bay in 1996 to begin a teaching
position at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill.
Messengers’ sculpture is a melding of folk and fine art traditions. Steeped in
ceramic process and history, his work also pays homage to the rich heritage of
sensibilities which comprise American culture. In addition, there’s an
introspective quality to the sculpture which the artist explains:
“My work is a constructed mythology based on a contemporary perspective. It
involves a combination of drawing, painting, modeling and pottery techniques.
Through these I explore social, political and psychological issues in the form of
narratives. Within these narratives, a variety of characters interact amidst an
eclectic, often anachronistic array of images and objects derived from history,
religion, mythology, contemporary life, media and art. Their drama forms the
dominant undercurrent. My aim is to piece together some of their universal
aspects.”
Messengers work has been exhibited extensively and is represented in a number
of national collections, including; The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA;
the permanent collection of the International Ceramics Studio in Kecskemet,
Hungary, the Toki Collection in Berkeley, CA; and the Archie Bray Permanent
Collection in Helena, MT. Two recent international projects included a group
sculpture in Cuba and a large scale, permanent installation at Parque La
Carolina in Quito, Ecuador. Messenger continues to work as a Professor of Art at
Diablo Valley College.
Raised in Southern California, Messenger received a BA in History from
Westmont College in Santa Barbara, a Teaching Credential in Art from California
State University, Fullerton and a Masters of Fine Arts from San Diego State
University. He moved to the San Francisco East Bay in 1996 to begin a teaching
position at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill.
Messengers’ sculpture is a melding of folk and fine art traditions. Steeped in
ceramic process and history, his work also pays homage to the rich heritage of
sensibilities which comprise American culture. In addition, there’s an
introspective quality to the sculpture which the artist explains:
“My work is a constructed mythology based on a contemporary perspective. It
involves a combination of drawing, painting, modeling and pottery techniques.
Through these I explore social, political and psychological issues in the form of
narratives. Within these narratives, a variety of characters interact amidst an
eclectic, often anachronistic array of images and objects derived from history,
religion, mythology, contemporary life, media and art. Their drama forms the
dominant undercurrent. My aim is to piece together some of their universal
aspects.”
Messengers work has been exhibited extensively and is represented in a number
of national collections, including; The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA;
the permanent collection of the International Ceramics Studio in Kecskemet,
Hungary, the Toki Collection in Berkeley, CA; and the Archie Bray Permanent
Collection in Helena, MT. Two recent international projects included a group
sculpture in Cuba and a large scale, permanent installation at Parque La
Carolina in Quito, Ecuador. Messenger continues to work as a Professor of Art at
Diablo Valley College.
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AWARDS
2009 Summer Residency, LH Project, Joseph, OR
2004 International Sculpture Project (in conjunction with the US Embassy and the city of
Quito), Parque La Carolina, Quito, Ecuador
2003 International Sculpture Workshop, Union de Escritorios y Artistas, Nueva Gerona, Cuba
2001 Summer Residency, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT
1999 Howard Kottler Fellowship, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Edgecomb, ME
Merit Award, "Feats of Clay XII", National Juried Competition, Gladding,
McBean and Company, Lincoln, CA Juror: Michael Lucero
1996 Merit Award,sponsored by Laguna Clay Co. at the “California Clay Competition”, Regional
Competition, The Artery, Davis, CA in conjunction with the California Conference for the
Advancement of Ceramic Art. Juror: Catherine Hiersoux
Ted Saito Memorial Award, “Current Clay V”, a Southern California Juried
Exhibition, Gallery Eight, La Jolla, CA Juror: Les Lawrence
San Diego Orchid & Onions Award Program, sponsored by the San Diego Chapter AIA.
Orchid Award, Fine Arts Award and Village Green Award for Neighborhood Programs for
the City Heights Tower Commission of the San Diego Public Arts Commission.
1995 SummerResidency, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, Montana.
1994 MeritAward, "Feats of Clay VII", national juried competition, Gladding, McBean Company,
Lincoln, CA Juror: Don Reitz.
1992 First Place; City Heights Tower Commission, San Diego Public Art Competition,
San Diego, CA
1991 Juror's Award. "Just Fired: New Ceramic Work", National Juried Competition. Tempe Arts
Center, Tempe, AZ Jurors: Don Reitz, Randy Schmidt, Don Bendel.
First Prize, Three Dimensional Category Award. "Lafayette Art Association National Juried
Competition of Two and Three Dimensional Art", Lafayette Art Gallery, Lafayette, LA
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EDUCATION
1994 Master of Fine Arts, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
1985 Teaching Credential: Art, California State University, Fullerton, CA
1982 Bachelor of Arts, Social Science, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA