David Tell

David Tell uses whatever media necessary to succinctly visualize his ideas, so the Kohler Co. factory presented a treasure trove of materials for his use. Rather than use the Foundry or the Pottery, David scavenged the scrap bins for discarded manufacturing parts, worn-out engine components, and damaged materials. He also visited a nearby tannery and hauled away bags of fur scraps. From all this raw material, David assembled several sculptures which explored the dignity to be found in everyday objects and gave discarded materials a new-found elegance. David created the first cup in the Arts/Industry limited editions series exhibited exclusively at ARTspace, a Gallery of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. From a shower head, fixture parts, and a saw blade, he created an elegant goblet that challenges us to reevaluate the function and form of common objects. David received a B.S. from Edinboro State College, Edinboro, Pennsylvania, and an M.F.A. from Alfred University, Alfred, New York. Since 1974, David has been on the faculty at Illinois State University, Normal. He has exhibited his work in a one-person exhibition at the Horse Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida, and has participated in group and invitational exhibitions at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico; Timothy Burns Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri; and the Erie Art Museum, Erie, Pennsylvania.