John T Unger Artist's Portfolio

Bottle Cap Mosaic Fish

Bottle Cap Fish Mosaics at Vale Craft Gallery Bottle Caps, plywood, printed tin, copper or bronze, rakes, dustpans, nail, etc. 126" H x 90" W Check my ArtBuzz Blog for Availability
Bottle caps have long had a place in the folk art tradition as a decorative element. Usually, they are deployed more as a texture, willy nilly without sorting for color. My own bottle cap mosaics were initially inspired by  Haitian ritual flags, in which detailed images are realized entirely through the use of sequins. The first bottle cap pieces I did combined  bottle caps with vitreous glass tile. Each cap is sorted by brand or color, washed, dried, punched, partially crimped and finally nailed in overlapping scales to create a feeling of depth, light and shadow. Decorative nail heads emulate the texture of seed beads often used to reinforce the sequins on flags. Even the smaller fish require hundreds of caps to complete. The most amazing thing about these fish is the way they interact with light. When you look at one or two caps from any brand, they're generally not all that impressive. But when you group hundreds of them together and let them catch the sunlight,  they truly glow.  The combination of the background color with the logo can create color tones that are vibrant and lively and wholly unexpected. What I like most about making the Bottle Cap fish mosaics is that the overlapping texture of the caps does such a good job of representing scales.These fish have been one of my big sellers… They typically sell out almost as soon as they appear. I can do custom fish in this style, by brand, color, shape, or whatever floats your boat. If you'd like to commission a fish just drop me an email from the contact page and let me know what you're thinking.
click thumbnails to view larger image.

 

Technorati Tags: art, bottle cap, bottlecap, crown cap, fish, folkart, funky, mosaic, outsider art, self taught

La Siren II: A Mosaic Mermaid Sculpture in Bottle Caps and Glass

La Siren, 2000 Vitreous glass, bottle caps, stone, copper, glass eyes, Hardibacker substrate 60" H x 36" W x 1.5" D Private Collection
Christy MacLear commissioned this piece for her gallery, Fleur Fine Art, because people kept asking her to sell the mermaid from her private collection and she couldn't bring herself to part with it. She gave me "total artistic freedom" to create any bottle cap mermaid I wanted to and I took that ball and ran with it. You gotta love the bottle cap dreads! Unfortunately, these are  the best photos I have at present. I chose the detail image as the primary photo because the full photo is at a weird angle. I was inspired to do bottle cap mosaics by Haitian ritual flags, in which detailed images are realized entirely through the use of sequins. Each cap is sorted by brand or color, washed, dried, punched, partially crimped and finally nailed in overlapping scales to create a feeling of depth, light and shadow. Decorative nail heads emulate the texture of seed beads often used to reinforce the sequins. My bottle cap mosaics revisit the playful, funky spirit of my early found object collages. Combining the caps with Italian glass mosaic carries elements of folk art and recycling into a modern fine art context. I also did a cut metal collage this year working from the same mermaid image used for this piece. Take a look at it here. click thumbnail to view larger image.

 

Tags: art, mosaic, folkart, sculpture, bottlecap, loteria, mermaid, self taught, Mexican art, bottle cap,

Mermaid Mosaic Sculpture in Bottle Caps and Italian Glass

La Siren, 2000 bottle caps, vitreous glass, carved wood, enamel paint, copper, glass eyes 46" H x 46" W x 2" D Private Collection
With her Italian glass top and bottle cap tail, LaSiren reflects not just light but a sense of humor and playfulness. The image is based on the La Siren card from the Mexican Loteria game. This was my first mosaic with bottle caps— I was inspired by Haitian ritual flags, in which detailed images are realized entirely through the use of sequins. Each cap is sorted by brand or color, washed, dried, punched, partially crimped and finally nailed in overlapping scales to create a feeling of depth, light and shadow. Decorative nail heads emulate the texture of seed beads often used to reinforce the sequins. My bottle cap mosaics revisit the playful, funky spirit of my early found object collages. Combining the caps with Italian glass mosaic carries elements of folk art and recycling into a modern fine art context. click thumbnail to view larger image.

 

Tags: art, mosaic, folkart, sculpture, bottlecap, loteria, mermaid, self taught, Mexican art, bottle cap,

Elvis Is Love Mosaic Mirror

Elvis is Love Mosaic Mirror, 2003 vitreous glass tile, copper, Hardi-backer substrate over plywood. 36" x 36" x 1.5" (approximate) May be Available

This piece and the What Would Elvis Do? mirror were created for a show of all-Elvis art at Fleur Fine Art in Chicago. Other artists contributing work included folk artists C.M. & Grace Kelly Laster and photographer Patty Carrol.

 

Tags: art, folkart, mosaic, outsider art, pop culture, elvis, self taught, presley

What Would Elvis Do? Mosaic Mirror

What Would Elvis Do?, Mosaic Mirror, 2003 vitreous glass tile, copper, Hardi-backer substrate over plywood. 30" H x 15" W x 1.5" D (approximate) May be Available

I really wanted to make this piece into the door of a medicine cabinet…I wasn't allowed to cut big holes in the wall of the gallery, but if you would like it installed as the door to your medicine cabinet, lets talk! This piece and the  Elvis Is Love mirror were created for a show of all-Elvis art at Fleur Fine Art in Chicago. Other artists contributing work included folk artists C.M. & Grace Kelly Laster and photographer Patty Carrol.

 

Tags: art, folkart, mosaic, outsider art, pop culture, elvis, self taught, presley

Erzuli VeVe Mosaic Table

Vévé for Erzuli Mosaic Table, 2003 vitreous glass, glass gems, steel table. 30" Tall x 42" x 42" Commission

Laurie Beasley of Ridge Art commissioned this table, featuring a version of the Vévé for Erzulie, the Haitian goddess (Lwa) of love.

 

Tags: art, folkart, mosaic, outsider art, pop culture, vodou, self taught, voodoo, furniture, garden, patio

El Corazon Mosaic Table

Corazon Mosaic Table, 2002 ceramic tile mosaic, steel table. 30" x 48" x 17" high Commission
This table was commissioned by Angelo at Casa Loca in Chicago. The original design is from the Mexican Loteria deck, a traditional game similar to Bingo.  I had long wanted to do a mosaic based on the Mexican Loteria deck, and this image in particular. I wish I had better pictures of this piece… it's much cooler than you can tell from these images. Teresa Villegas did a very cool updated version of the loteria game which has now been published in in a handsome book. I highly recommend checking out her site devoted to the project, which provides a good deal of background on the game and images. You can also learn more by visiting this website from Boston University on the History of the Mexican Loteria Card Game.
click thumbnails to view larger image.

 

Tags: Art, mosaic, heart, loteria, corazon, heart mosaic

After the Matador, Folk Art Mosaic Table

After the Matador, 1998 ceramic tile, glass, steel on wood. 26" x 46" x 1.5" high Buy this mosaic at ArtBuzz

This is the very first mosaic I ever did. I made it shortly after moving to Chicago, as a kitchen table for my first real studio. Shortly after I finished it, I participated in my first Pilsen East Artists’ Open House, an annual event in the neighborhood. I had a ton of great art filling the studio but the two questions I heard most were, "Wow. What's the rent here?" and "How much is the table?" Heh. By the end of the first day, I was sooooo tired of explaining that the table wasn't for sale, it was what we ate on. But by day two of the three day show, I was thinking "Hmmmm, maybe I should do more of these mosaics thingies." Some years back I removed the legs and made it a wall hanging piece, but it would be very simple to put legs on it again if you wanted a table. I think it works really nicely as a mural. The frame is made from antique yardsticks that happened to be the same orange and yellow as the tile. The bull's eye is a Xerox copier lense behind which is a photo of an eye. Actually, it's a photo of a television showing a big eye, but you can't really see the TV. The bull's horn is made from old roofing steel set into the tile.

 

Tags: art, fun, funky, mosaic, pop culture, Guadalupe, folk art, outsider art, mosaic table

Mosaic Headstones for pets

Mud's Marker, 2001 Concrete, Ceramic tile 12.5" H x 12" W x 4" D Commission
I made the headstone above for Mud, a friend's cat who had sadly used up it's allotment of nine lives. The marker has been through five long winters in Michigan with no sign of wear. click thumbnail to view larger image.
	If you would like to commission a custom mosaic head stone with a portrait of your departed pet, contact me by email or phone. If you can provide a photo I should be able to produce a reasonable likeness. Prices start at $350 and increase depending on size, materials and complexity.

 

Tags: art, garden, headstone, mosaic, pets, custom monument

Vodou Libation Bottles in Tile Mosaic

Libation Bottle for Danthor, 2001 Ceramic tile, glass 10" H x 10.5" W x 10.5" D Private Collection
The bottle above is based on a portion of a temple mural I found in the book Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou. Danthor is one of the two faces of Erzulie, Vodou goddess of love. All the bottles on this page were inspired by the sequined libation bottles of Haitian Vodou, a standard feature of Vodou altars traditionally used in ceremony to serve rum to the spirits. Libation bottles are often much more plain than the ceremonial flags which have become one of Haiti's most celebrated cutural exports… but the best examples feature stylized iconography representing the various spirits. click thumbnails to view larger image.
	Libation Bottle for St. Expedit, 2001 Ceramic mosaic, glass, paper 14" H x 4.5" W x 4.5" Private Collection
	Libation Bottle for Legba, 2002 Ceramic mosaic, glass, paper 14" H x 4.5" W x 4.5" Private Collection
	Libation Bottle for Marinette, 2002 Ceramic mosaic, glass, paper 14" H x 6" W x 6" Private Collection
	Libation Bottle for Erzuli, 2002 Mirror mosaic, glass, beads, paper 16" H x 5" W x 5" Private Collection
	Libation Bottle for Petwo Spirits, 1999 Ceramic mosaic, findings, glass, 14" H x 6" W x 6" Private Collection Because the Petwo spirits are known for their fiery disposition, a Pyrex bottle is fitting.
	Libation Bottle for Petwo Spirits, 1999 Ceramic mosaic, findings, glass, 14" H x 6" W x 6" Private Collection Because the Petwo spirits are known for their fiery disposition, a Pyrex bottle is fitting
	Libation Bottle for La Siren, 1999 Ceramic mosaic, glass 14" H x 4.5" W x 4.5" Private Collection
	Libation Bottle for Ghede, 1999 Ceramic mosaic, glass 14" H x 4.5" W x 4.5" Private Collection

 

Tags: art, folkart, mosaic, outsider art, pop culture, vodou, sculpture, self taught, voodoo

Recycled Metal Critters made from Cars

Fire-Breathing Dogzilla, 2006 Recycled steelfrom antique cars, rivets, bottle cap. 26" H x 33" W Custom Order Item
I've always been a sucker for fire breathing acts, and somehow, it just seemed like Dogzilla needed get in on some of that action. But then, I'm also the guy who makes his cat stand and walk on two legs to get her treats and, yeah, the guy that taught his daughter fire breathing last summer. More circus flavored art is in the works, I think. I really like the way this one came out. The work below are various examples of small wall hanging sculpture in recycled steel. I photographed them with pennies to give a sense of scale. click thumbnail to view larger image.
Little Mermaid 20" H x 24" W Custom Order Item
Blue Striped Bee 13.5" H x 17" W Custom Order Item
Dogs Chase Tails 9.5" H x 11" W Custom Order Item
Funky Alien 15.5" H x 10" W Custom Order Item
One Big Eye 15" H x 9" W Custom Order Item
Big Fish 9" H x 30.5" W Custom Order Item
Big Fish 24" H x 27" W Custom Order Item
Little Fish 10" H x 16" W Custom Order Item
Dogzilla 24" H x 28" W Custom Order Item
Alarmist Hedgehog 6.5" H x 13" W Custom Order Item
Happy Little Creature 7" H x 16" W Custom Order Item
Happy, Funky Bird 12.5" H x 9" W Custom Order Item
Seahorse dimensions unknown Custom Order Item
Mad Cat dimensions unknown Custom Order Item

 

Tags: art, sculpture, recycled, metal, garden, home, steel, funky, fun

Big Metal Fish Sign

Aluminum + Copper Fish Sign, 2005 Recycled Aluminum, copper and plywood. 51" H x 96" W x 1" D
Purchase Aluminum + Copper Fish Sign for $850 ($750 plus $100 S+H).
This was originally going to be a sign for the studio…  I got this far with it and decided that I liked it better as art. I made it before I had a plasma cutter, so the whole thing was done with shears and a jigsaw. I especially like the way that the copper fin near the gills came out all ripply and dimensional. I had intended it to lay flatter, but the copper got all bent up while I was cutting it and actually looked much better that way. It's pretty common that the best features of a piece will be the mistakes… I could certainly have flattened it out the way I had intended it to be, but so often what makes art be art is seeing the benefit of an error before you correct and having the sense to leave it in.

 

Tags: art, folkart, garden, metal, outdoor, self taught, fish, trout, sign

Haitian Style Merman Sculpture

Haitian Style Merman, 2006 Recycled steel. 26" H x 8" W x 3.5" D
Purchase Haitian Style Merman Sculpture  for $90 ($70 plus $20 S+H).
This sculpture reminds me a lot of the graphic style used by Haitian artists who make cut steel art from 55 gallon drums. Which makes me really happy, since usually I can't even touch those cats for raw style. It's just one of those things that can't be faked. I got lucky on this one… it was a piece of steel that was left over from some other cut out pieces I was working on, and I could kind of see the design struggling to get out. So I made a few more cuts, emphasized a few things, threw in a little bit of detail, and there it was.

 

Tags: art, folkart, garden, metal, outdoor, self taught

Folk Art Mermaid Sculpture

A Mermaid  and her Fish, 2006 Recycled steel, 54" H x 37" W x .25" D Collection: Jerry's Sandwiches, Chicago, IL

Here's a bold, graphic sculpture made from recycled car steel… The corrugated steel in the background is not part of the piece, it's the wall of my office (familiar as the backdrop of many of my photos). This Mermaid is 54" tall by 37" wide. She's similar in style to Atlas: World Famous, but rather than being a free standing piece, the mermaid is wall hanging. A Mermaid  and her Fish Was puchased by Mark Bires to adorn the walls of Jerry's Sandwiches, 1045 W. Madison Street, Chicago IL. I hear they have amazing food, and I'll definitely be sampling their menu on my next trip to Chicago. Below is a detail image of this sculpture.

 

Tags: art, folkart, garden, metal, outdoor, self taught

Atlas World Famous Sculpture

Atlas: World Famous, 2006 Recycled steel, 75" H x 48" W x 12" D Buy this sculpture on my ArtBuzz Blog
Atlas: World Famous is the first large-scale sculpture I've made using antique steel to do collage. It's a lot of fun for me because it's a way to go back to my roots in the folk art/pop culture vernacular where I started my art career. The sculpture is 75" high x 48" wide x 12" deep, which means that Atlas himself is pretty much life-size. As you can see in the images below, the sculpture is two sided, with the image reversed on one side.
click thumbnail to view larger image.
Below is the image this sculpture is based on. It's one of my all-time faves… a couple years ago I did an Atlas mosaic in glass and bottle caps using the same image. The original is from the Mexican Loteria deck, a traditional game similar to Bingo. Teresa Villegas did a very cool updated version of the game which has now been published in in a handsome book. I highly recommend checking out her site devoted to the project, which provides a good deal of background on the game and images. You can also learn more by visiting this website from Boston University on the History of the Mexican Loteria Card Game.

 

Tags: art, folkart, garden, metal, outdoor, self taught

Keep Your Yard Evil Spirit Free with Bottle Trees

Bottle Trees, 2006 Recycled steel, glass dimensions variable Collection of the Artist
Bottle trees are a tradition I've always liked, and I've long meant to make one. There's a great site here that explains the history behind them, with a bunch of photos of traditional and newer versions. Back on Memorial Day weekend I decided it would be just the thing to add a little color to the yard. Not so much as something I would sell, but more to draw attention so people would, you know, notice, that there was an art studio by the side of the highway. Most of my art is invisible to people driving past at 70 mph because the rust finish just blends into the yard and trees… The bottle tree  definitely  caught people's eye, so I made a couple more…  I think  I may just make a whole forest grove of them. I'd be happy to make these as a custom order item. Drop me a line from the Contact page for pricing, etc.
click thumbnail to view larger image.

 

Tags: abstract sculpture, art, folkart, garden, iron work, outdoor, outsider art, self taught, yard