He Had It Since He First Got It
Mindy Solomon is pleased to present He Had It Since He First Got It Stanley Edmonson’s first solo exhibition in Miami. In his own words: “Everything on view represents work I made as a child. In fabricating this work, I realized I peaked artistically at the age of 8 years old. I have continued to try to hold onto that creative magic.”
Born in 1962, he was inspired by his youthful interactions with ceramic luminaries such as Peter Voulkos, Paul Soldner, Michael Frimkiss, and John Mason. Ignited by their magnetic work and the environment in which he grew up, he had the freedom at a young age to pursue a vison that matched his aesthetic interests. “I’ve spent my entire life in the visual arts.
I work mostly work with clay, but am versed in bronze, printmaking, painting, and welding. My father was a successful artist during the middle of the last century, and my experiences with him had a profound impact on me. I grew up in a pretty amazing world and am honored to be a part of it. I spent my childhood in museums and galleries, looking at every kind of art. Being the son of a surrealist was strange, and wonderful!” Some of his earliest works were Piggy Banks, depictions of his favorite cartoon character “Gigantor”, and planters. He also made Piggy Bank incense holders in the 1960’s.
A number of these forms are on view in the show. The pants planter in the exhibition is representative of his frustration with articulating the entire figure. Rather than fight his lack of confidence in expressing the human form, he embraced it. The art he made when he did not realize “what he was doing” became the most joyful. His father, famed California artist and educator Leonard Edmondson used to say “if you are not getting dirty you are not making art”- so play became important in his work. Representative of the post second world war abstract expressionist- his practice is about freedom- the end product of a play experience. He spends hours engaged with his work, lost in the joy of experimentation. Within his seemingly effortless forms is a deep-rooted understanding of all facets of the ceramics process. He is a true master. Fortunately for all of us-he had it since he first got it.
About Stanley Edmondson
Stanley Edmondson (b. 1962, Pasadena, CA) is a Los Angeles based artist whose singular ceramic based practice is deeply influenced by his close relationships to artists and mentors over the years such as Peter Voulkos, Michael Frimkess, John Mason, and his late father, Leonard Edmondson who was the Chairman of the Design Department at Otis Art Institute during California’s revolution in clay sculpture. Working predominantly with homemade clay, Edmondson embraces the Bauhaus practice of weaving craft with fine art and the technical challenges of fabrication. Edmondson’s works are reminiscent of the California Funk Art Movement, but take deeper inspiration from 1960s-70s comics and anime – this is especially true for his figurative works that share a semblance to the Japanese cult classic, “Gigantor,” in which a giant robot is built for war but transforms into a guardian of peace.
In recent years, Edmondson has aided in the practices of contemporary artists Roger Herman, Ruby Neri, and Kenny Scharf. His works have been featured in solo and group exhibitions at SEA VIEW, Los Angeles, CA, (2023); Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (2021); Sebastian Gladstone, Los Angeles, CA (2020); Lefebvre et Fils, Paris, FR (2018); and South Willard, Los Angeles, CA (2017).
Stanley Edmondson is represented by Nicodim, Los Angeles / New York and SEA VIEW, Los Angeles.
