Artist Statement:
I believe that the purpose of art is to communicate an idea and to tell the story of humanity. Throughout every epoch since human beings have existed art has always been there. If one studies the history of art one has studied the history of humanity.
While I often move between various modes of representation and abstraction, I’m always attempting to create an atmospheric tension that I hope might excite and unnerve the viewer. I also attempt to create a basic narrative that may or may not serve as a jumping off point for further extrapolation. I see life as an absurd struggle between annihilation and salvation and my work is an attempt to convey that worldview.
Education:
John Pacer graduated with an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts after receiving his BFA in Fine Art from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. He also studied Illustration at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA and Classical Drawing and Painting at the Barnstone Studios in Coplay, PA.
Awards & Distinctions:
June 2006 – Second Place – W.P.C.A. Art-In-The-Park, Allentown, PA
November 2005 – Special Recognition - 7th Annual Painting, Drawing and Print International Juried Online Art Exhibition
June 2005 - Honorable Mention – W.P.C.A. Art-In-The-Park, Allentown, PA
University of the Arts Promising Artist Award - $24,000.00 Scholarship
Exhibitions:
JURIED GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
June 28 – September 20, 2009 – Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2009, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA. Juror: Patricia Bellan-Gillen
June 10 – July 12, 2009 – Images 2009, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, Penn State University. Juror: Judith H. O’Toole
July 15 – August 18, 2006 – 71st Annual National Juried Exhibition – Cooperstown Art Association, Cooperstown, NY
June 11 – July 22, 2006 – Annual Juried Exhibition – Lancaster County Art Association, Strasburg, PA
May 13 – June 15, 2006 – 78th Annual National Juried Exhibition – Art Association of Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
June 5 – August 15, 2009 – Soweto Festival Art Exhibit, Gallery at Grace, Wilmington, DE
May 1 – May 31, 2009 – Second Annual Figure Drawing Exhibition, Dupree Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
May 10 – June 1, 2008 – 107th Annual Student Exhibition – Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
October 8 – October 27, 2007 – Blink Art Gallery – Philadelphia, PA
August 10 – September 2, 2007 - Smile Café and Gallery - Philadelphia, PA
September 2005 – November 2005 - DogStarr Café, Allentown, PA
November 2004 - “Oculus”, Academy of Art University Gallery, San Francisco, CA
July 2004 - DogStarr Café, Allentown, PA
Artist Tags:
classical, expressionist, oil painting, watercolor, charcoal
