david jp hooker
  • home
  • pottery
  • projects
  • store
  • blog
  • statement
  • contact me
Picture

Artist Statement

I firmly believe in art as a way of knowing. My artistic practice is a way of understanding the world around me. As a result my work is more likely to ask questions than to give answers.

I find that materials, objects, and places are intrinsically loaded with meaning. There is no such thing as a blank canvas. Clay dug from the hillside just outside of an ancient Silk Road city and maple seeds collected from an Underground Railroad site in Illinois both have a story to tell. I work with these objects as a way of connecting to their stories and to share them with others. 

Mission Statement

Make artwork that...

-Seeks value in ordinary things.
-Connects with both regional and global concerns.
-Lives both in the gallery and out of it; interacts directly with daily life.
-Makes room for contemplation in a world increasingly full of distraction.

Support other artists by...

-Sharing my technical expertise and experience with students, encouraging them to find their own identities and flourish in sustainable artistic practice.  
-Mentoring a few more dedicated young artists on a deeper level, hopefully developing paid internships in the future.  
-Being a patron of other artists and arts organizations
​-Seeking opportunities to curate shows featuring works of other artists.

Develop community by...

-Developing an artistic practice that seeks to connect people and fosters dialog
-Building relationships with supporters and patrons
-Deliberately seeking opportunities to show my work in my local community- not just in big venues.
​- Having sales which support local non-profits. 

About David  

David J. P. Hooker lives and works in the greater Chicago area, where he is an artist and Chair of the Art Department at Wheaton College. He received an M.F.A. in Ceramics from Kent State University and a B.A. in English from Furman University. 
 
His artistic practice explores the inherent value of materials, objects, and places, hoping to find ways to better connect and understand the world we live in. Recently he was awarded the Dunhuang Ceramic Residency and spent two months as artist in residence in Lanzhou, China. 
 
When David is not freaking out over deadlines, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Elaine, his children Abbey and Samuel, and his dog, Mac. He also enjoys baseball, BBQ, and tennis—not necessarily in that order.

​

Contact David

    Subscribe to my newsletter!

Submit
  • home
  • pottery
  • projects
  • store
  • blog
  • statement
  • contact me
✕