JOHN DENNING

JOHN DENNING Biography

During his student days at the Los Angeles Art Center School, John Denning became fascinated by the human figure. His background in the arts is rooted in painting and drawing with a particular exploration of watercolor. The work of Nathan Olivera, Richard Diebenkorn, and Francis Bacon served as inspiration in the two-dimensional medium, while sculptors such as Manuel Neri and Stephen De Staebler were influences for Denning's sculptures.

Denning's sculptural figures, often but not always female, oscillate in time and space as they simultaneously appear to be emerging and withdrawing. This conveyance of flight and repose echoes within the presence of accompanying birds that grace some of the figures with another contrast. Via these leitmotifs, Denning acknowledges dichotomy, as if embracing every vicissitude of experience.

When John Denning began sculpting in the 1990's, he was intent on avoiding what he found to be boring patinas. His work doesn't end with sculpting the initial original form. He often reworks each wax and is personally very involved with the patina process, which he considers an extension of his painting practice. Therefore, even the editioned bronze sculptures are still unique, with their painterly patinas.

JOHN DENNING Resumé

Solo Exhibitions

2021 "Bronzes 2021", Jackson Grant Gallery, Ross, CA
2013 “Horse Play,” John Denning Studio, Sonoma, CA - Sculpture, works on paper, dye-sublimation transfers
2012 “Vernissage,” John Denning Studio, Sonoma, CA - Sculpture, works on paper, dye-sublimation transfers
1998 Galerie Bourda, Paris, France - Works on canvas and paper
1979 Vorpal Gallery, Soho, New York - Works on canvas and paper
1978 Vorpal Gallery, Chicago, IL - Works on canvas and paper
1974 Vorpal Gallery, San Francisco, CA - Watercolors
1972 Vorpal Gallery, San Francisco, CA - Watercolors

Selected Group Exhibitions
2015 "25th Anniversary," Sculpturesite Gallery, Glen Ellen, CA
2014 "Sculpture Within Reach," a new leaf gallery | sculpturesite, Sonoma, CA
2013 “Peaceable Kingdom-Animals Real and Imagined,” Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
2011 "Animal Dreams," a new leaf gallery | sculpturesite, Sonoma, CA
2010 San Francisco Art Fair, with Sculpturesite Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2010 FADA LA Art Show, with Sculpturesite Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2009 "New Images of Man and Woman," Alphonse Berber Gallery, Berkeley, CA
2009 "Bronze Works," Art Foundry Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2009 "Body Works," A New Leaf Gallery, Sonoma, CA
2008 "Body Language II," Sculpturesite Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2007 SOFA, Chicago, with Sculpturesite Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2005 Works on Paper, Sculpturesite Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2005 “Vernissage,” inaugural exhibit, Sculpturesite gallery, San Francisco, CA
2003 The United States Embassy Hanoi - Art in the Embassies Program
2001 “The Figure Au Plein Air,” A New Leaf Gallery, Berkeley, CA
1998 “Bronze Age,” A New Leaf Gallery, Berkeley, CA
1997 “Peinture de Californie,” Galerie Bourda, Paris, France
1996 Salon Peinture-Sculpture, Nice, France
1995 “Water Visions 1995,” A New Leaf Gallery, Berkeley, CA
1994 “Water Visions 1994,” A New Leaf Gallery, Berkeley, CA
1993 New Ground Gallery, Oakland, CA
1985-1997 Vorpal Gallery, Soho, New York
1984 Southern Exposure Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1975 Sacramento State Fair
1969-1997 Vorpal Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Commissions
2003-2004 “Caravella and Falcon,” Larger-than-life bronze reclining figure, Private Collection, Danville, CA
1996-1997 Granite and bronze fountain for the Heyman residence, Discovery Bay, CA
1996 Granite and bronze wall fountain for the Burmeister residence, Santa Rosa, CA
1995 Bronze water sculpture for the Lee Residence, San Francisco, CA
1993 Stone water sculpture for the Trupiano residence, Walnut Creek, CA
1974 Stained glass window design & menu illustrations for Olema Inn, Olema, CA
1971 Large scale watercolor, triptych, for the Souverain Winery, Napa, CA

Education
1952-1955 BA: Art Center School of Design, Los Angeles;  Full scholarship, graduated Cum Laude