John Van Alstine Sculptures
American, b. 1952
BIOGRAPHY
Born in upstate New York in 1952, John Van Alstine grew up in the southern Adirondack Mountains. After attending St. Lawrence University, Kent State University (BFA 1974) and Cornell University (MFA 1976), he joined the faculty at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, and later the University of Maryland, College Park, to teach drawing and sculpture.
In 1986 he left teaching and moved to the New York area to pursue studio work full-time. In 1987 he purchased a 19th century industrial complex on the banks of the Sacandaga River and returned to the Adirondacks where he now lives and works in the restored historic structure.
Van Alstine's work is held in many private and public and corporate collections in the United States and Europe. He has completed many large scale outdoor, site-specific commissions.
ARTIST STATEMENT
The union of stone and metal—recently rough-hewn New York slate and found object steel—are central in my sculpture. On its most basic level, the work is about the marriage of the natural with the human-made.
Stone is used as an assemblage element in the way a welder uses steel, rather than in the traditional manner of subtraction. In contrast to the timelessness of stone, the found-object steel is very time-specific—20th century industrial. The industrial and structural characteristics inherent in the metal are often employed in the work and used to physically connect or suspend stone elements. The strength of the metal allows for a "choreographing" or "floating" of typically earthbound stone.
The Sisyphean Circle Series is an attempt to draw parallels between the Greek mythological character and the plight of the artist. As we all know, Sisyphus was forced to roll a large stone up a steep hill, only to have it tumble back after reaching the top. A toil that lasts an eternity is an applicable metaphor for the creative process—especially for a stone sculptor, on both a physical and symbolic level. I am constantly pushing stone around the studio, striving to reach a creative "peak", and once there, start over on the next piece. The process is neverending.
Albert Camus, the French existentialist, in his essay The Myth of Sisyphus, used this myth to illustrat his notion that reaching one’s final destination is not of utmost importance. In fact, if one "reconsiders Sisyphus", as Camus suggests, the struggle or journey reveals itself as, ultimately, the most meaningful—an idea that I, and many others, believe is central to the creative process.
EDUCATION
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, M.F.A., Cornell Graduate Fellowship in Sculpture, 1976 Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, B.F.A. cum laude, Sculpture, Ceramics and Glass, 1974
Blossom Festival School, Cleveland-Kent, Ohio, 1973, Studied with Richard Stankiewicz, Richard Hunt
St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York, 1970-72to
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Artist: John Van Alstine
"Pointe (kyklos III)", Industrial, Abstract Sculpture in Metal
Stone
By John Van Alstine
Located in New York, NY
"Pointe (kyklos III)" by John Van Alstine
Slate, pigmented and sealed steel
The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the union of stone and metal, whi...
Category
2010s Abstract John Van Alstine Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Slate, Metal, Steel
"AUGER (cornu)", Industrial Abstract Sculpture in Metal
Stone
By John Van Alstine
Located in New York, NY
"AUGER (cornu)" by John Van Alstine
Vermont slate and bronze
The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the union of stone and metal, while exploring th...
Category
2010s Abstract John Van Alstine Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Slate, Metal, Bronze
"Sacandaga River Landscape XI", Industrial, Abstract Sculpture in Metal
Stone
By John Van Alstine
Located in New York, NY
"Sacandaga River Landscape XI" by John Van Alstine
NY State green granite, pigmented and sealed steel
The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the uni...
Category
2010s Abstract John Van Alstine Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Granite, Metal, Steel
"Cambre V", Slate
Steel Abstract Sculpture, Contemporary, Metal, Stone, Orange
By John Van Alstine
Located in New York, NY
"CAMBRE V" by John Van Alstine
Slate, Steel & Pigment
Stone, Metal, Sculpture, Abstract, Contemporary, Large, Outdoor, Industrial, Industry, Nature, Orange
The sculpture of John Va...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract John Van Alstine Sculptures
Materials
Slate, Steel
"IMPLEMENT (stout handle II)", Industrial Abstract Sculpture in Metal
Stone
By John Van Alstine
Located in New York, NY
"IMPLEMENT (stout handle II)" by John Van Alstine
Bronze and slate
The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the union of stone and metal, while explor...
Category
2010s Abstract John Van Alstine Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Slate, Metal, Bronze
"PORTALS AND PASSAGES 4-20", Industrial Abstract Sculpture in metal
By John Van Alstine
Located in New York, NY
"PORTALS AND PASSAGES 4-20" by John Van Alstine
Bronze, pigmented and sealed steel
The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the union of stone and met...
Category
2010s Abstract John Van Alstine Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Steel, Bronze
POINTER (K Back), Industrial Abstract Sculpture, Slate Stone Bronze Steel Metal
By John Van Alstine
Located in New York, NY
"POINTER (K Back)" by John Van Alstine
Slate, Bronze, Pigmented Steel
Stone, Metal, Sculpture, Abstract, Contemporary, Outdoor, Industrial, Industry, Nature, Orange, Red
The sculpt...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract John Van Alstine Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Slate, Metal, Steel, Bronze
"Sisyphean Circle (tefillin)", Industrial Abstract Sculpture in Stone
Metal
By John Van Alstine
Located in New York, NY
"Sisyphean Circle (tefillin)" by John Van Alstine
Slate and Powder-Coated, Galvanized Steel
Stone, Metal, Sculpture, Abstract, Contemporary, Outdoor, Industrial, Industry, Nature, R...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract John Van Alstine Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Slate, Metal, Steel
"Ascension (red reamer)", Abstract Outdoor Sculpture, Stone, Metal, Industrial
By John Van Alstine
Located in New York, NY
"Ascension (red reamer)" by John Van Alstine
Granite, red pigmented and sealed steel
The sculpture of John Van Alstine beautifully, and powerfully, balances the union of stone and m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract John Van Alstine Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Granite, Metal, Steel
John Van Alstine sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic John Van Alstine sculptures available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of sculptures to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, green and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by John Van Alstine in metal, stone, steel and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large John Van Alstine sculptures, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Casper Brindle, Clifford Singer, and Stephen Walling. John Van Alstine sculptures prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,500 and tops out at $95,000, while the average work can sell for $17,750.