John T Unger Artist's Portfolio

Abstract Slate Wall Mural

Abstract Slate Wall Mural, 2002 Chinese slate. 126" H x 90" W Commission
This project was a bit of a challenge…create a visually pleasing abstract pattern working within a 5 x 7 grid. The goal was to create a surface which added warmth, colors, and pattern without overwhelming the room. Almost a formalist riddle… but one with nice results! The room has been repainted since  these photos were taken. I'll have to update the pics when I get a chance.
View from left of stove.	View from right of stove.
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Four Marble Mosaics Commissioned by Northeastern University, Boston

The Toftevaag, Marble Mosaic, 2002 Marble  mosaic, steel frame. 33" H x 25.5" W x 1.25" D Collection: Northeastern University, Boston
The above mosaic portrays the Toftevaag, a century-old Norwegian fishing boat re-outfitted as a research vessel, sailing off the coast of the Rock of Gibraltar. One of four mosaics commissioned by Eson Chan, Art Director at Northeastern University Magazine, to illustrate an article about dolphin watching off the coast of Spain. Days of the Dolphin, by Gary Goshgarian ran in the November Issue, 2002. Although created expressly for publication, the mosaics remain in the university's permanent collection. The mosaics below show typical coastal houses off the coast of Greece, a close-up of a dolphin and dolphins at play in the Alboran Sea..
Coastal Spain, 2002: Marble Mosaic 18" x 18" x 1.25"	Dolphin, 2002: Marble Mosaic 18" x 18" x 1.25"	Dolphins at Play, 2002: Marble Mosaic 18" x 18" x 1.25"
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Anatomy Chart Marble Mosaic

Human Anatomy Marble Mosaic, 2005 Marble  mosaic, copper. 36" H x 24" W x 1.5" D Collection: Thera-Massage, Evanston, IL
When Tommy Jenkins opened his own massage therapy clinic,  he  wanted a stellar piece of art to dress up the waiting room. Originally he was interested in a steel wall sculpture depicting musculature. A day or two later, it occured to me that some of the anatomical illustrations I've seen would look absolutely stunning done in marble mosaic— red marble with white veining is exactly the same color as human musculature. I suggested the idea to him and we ran with it. The mosaic is based on an anatomical drawing by Bartolomeo Eustachi, Italian anatomist, born ca. 1500-1513, San Severino, Ancona; died August 27, 1574. There are links to the original art, as well as a whole library of antiquarian anatomy drawings on my previous post about this project. Check out detail image of the hand below.   The tendons came out really well.
Human Anatomy Marble Mosaic, detail 2005: Marble Mosaic, copper	Source art: Bartolomeo Eustachi
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