The Zoot Art Gallery in Bozeman is pleased to announce its upcoming exhibit, “Wood Kiln Fired | Wabi-Sabi Inspired”. The display, presented by Clyde Park artist Giovanni DeFendis, delivers a mix of new pieces that explore his fascination with bringing both 2-D and 3-D works to life. With imperfect surfaces, evidence of partially erased marks, fingerprints, and even dirt from his studio floor, Giovanni tries his best to let each piece lead him where it wants to go.
Wood Kiln Fired | Wabi-Sabi Inspired
Giovanni grew up in California in the central valley throughout Fresno and Kings County surrounded by open spaces dominated by agriculture. One of his earliest memories and exposures to art was tile mosaic murals made by his grandmother. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Brigham Young University – Idaho in 2014, and moved to Montana in 2016 in hopes of building his own kiln. During the summer of 2017, he was able to locate and purchase a number of bricks in Townsend, MT. By fall that same year, he and his family were able to complete a wood kiln built after the design of the Sasukanei kiln, designed by world renowned artist Masakazu Kusakabe.
The exhibit will be on view from July 16 through September 27, 2024, with a public opening reception Thursday, July 18, from 4-6 pm at Zoot Enterprises.
Zoot is committed to championing the Montana art community. The corporate exhibit space is open to the public and hosts rotating works by Montana artists for the enjoyment of employees and the community. The gallery has an expansive open area for sculpture and boasts over 100 square feet of vertical exhibit surfaces. One exhibiting artist described it as “…arguably the finest gallery space in the area.”
All work sold through the gallery is commission-free. The exhibits of Montana-only artists rotate approximately every three months and are selected by the Zoot Committee for the Arts.
Public hours are 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. For more information, visit the Zoot art gallery website at zootartgallery.com or contact Carol Lehmann, Gallery Coordinator, at carol.lehmann@zootweb.com.