ARTIST'S STATEMENT AND RESUME
My passion is exploring strange parallels between our postmodern world and artistic traditions of tribal cultures. I work from a place where the chaos of the twenty-first century dances with hunters on the cave walls of Lascaux. I am drawn to all that is disturbing and exhilarating about the human condition. My sources of inspiration are Picasso, Ernst, early Jackson Pollock, Kandinsky, the German Expressionists and the “restless souls” of Art Brut. My work is a crucible where knowledge, emotion, imagination and instinct are ground into new substance, though instinct always has the final word.
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EDUCATION
Bachelor’s of Fine Art (BFA), Magna Cum Laude, University of Michigan School of Art and Design, 1986.
Studied under: Al Hinton and John Rush (University of Michigan); Sheldon Iden, Charles McGee, and Ellen Wilt (Eastern Michigan University).
Studied under: Al Hinton and John Rush (University of Michigan); Sheldon Iden, Charles McGee, and Ellen Wilt (Eastern Michigan University).
EXHIBITIONS AND OTHER PROJECTS
FILMS AND BROADSIDES
2023 - "The Children's Holiday," a film by Stephen Eric Berry released. 2021 - "New Work by John Elkerr," a film by Stephen Eric Berry released. 2018 - Three Broadsides published by The Ilanot Review, "Phoenix Draws Mars into the Habitable Zone," "I Saw Vermin Ships," and "Miss Emily's Immortality Box." 2014 - "The Minotaurs of John Elkerr," a film by Stephen Eric Berry. 2014 - "The American Dream" released on YouTube, a dance/installation piece created and performed by John Elkerr (recorded in 1985). RIVER HOUSE ARTS, Perrysburg, OH 2014 – “Desafinado Detroit,” a group show featuring the work of George Graveldinger, Marie Tapert, Maugre (Maurice Greenia), and John Elkerr. Curated by John Elkerr. 2013 – “Gone Wild” (group show) ZEITGEIST GALLERY, Detroit, MI 2005 – “Top to Bottom / More Is More” (group show) 2003 – “John Elkerr / Recent Work” (solo exhibit) 2002 – “Not Enough Time,” (solo exhibit) 2001 – “Group Show and Silent Auction” 2001 – “Elkerr and Karl Schneider Show” 1998 – “Friends of Jacques Show” (group show) 1998 – “Second Annual Collective Show” (group show) 1998 – “Elkerr & Roger Hayes Show” 1997 – “The Collective Show” 1991 – Group show ARTRAIN USA (2004) Demonstrating artist and exhibition tour guide for a traveling Native American art show in Michigan, Arizona, New Mexico, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas. GALERIE ME’DUANE, Laval, France 2000 – Group show 1990 – Group show GALERIE HALLE SAINT PIERRE, Paris, France 2000 – Group show 1999 – Group show GALERIE JACQUES, Ann Arbor, MI 1995---“Accrochage II” (group show) 1994 – “John Elkerr: Paintings and Drawings” (solo exhibit) ARBOR HOSPICE, Ann Arbor, MI 1993 – “Arbor Hospice Residents’ Fund,” donated work displayed at benefit auction WCA GALLERY (Washtenaw Council for the Arts), Ann Arbor, MI 1993 – “Circle Exhibit,” group show with Gerome Kamrowski LE MINOTAURE GALLERY, Ann Arbor, MI 1990 – “John Elkerr: Paintings, Drawings, Prints” 1989 – “Gallery Artists II” (group show) |
PERFORMANCE NETWORK, Ann Arbor, MI
1990 – “Fear No Art” (group show) EYEMEDIA GALLERY, Ann Arbor, MI 1987 – Homola & Elkerr Show SCHOOL OF ART, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Ann Arbor, MI 1987 – Poster design for “Pat Oleszko Takes Off Again” group show MICHIGAN FINE ARTS COMPETITION, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Association, Judy Pfaff, Juror. 1987 – Exhibition of “Self Portrait, Shaving” and “Bump on a Log” BFA Show, Rackham Galleries, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 1986 – Group show with Scott Larrabee and Julie Smith UNIVERSITY LIGGETT SCHOOL, CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 1984 – “John Kerr, paintings” (solo exhibit and lecture) GARAGE SHOW (South Fourth Ave and East Huron St, Ann Arbor) 1984 – “Ann Arbor Artists ’84 (group show) INTERMEDIA GALLERY 1982—“Neo,” Eastern Michigan University (group show) |
CO-EXHIBITOR WITH THESE ARTISTS
Diana Alva
Claudine Goux Georges Graveldinger Maurice Greenia, Jr. (“Maugre”) Roger Hayes Mark Homola Robert Hyde Mr. Imagination Jaber Gerome Kamrowski Jacques Karamanoukian Rosemarie Koczy Charles Lassiter |
Michael Loverich
Sam Mackey Eric Mesko Stani Nitkowski Jim Puntigam Leif Ritchey J.B. Sanfourche Karl Schneider Gerard Sendrey Rene Strubel Marie Tapert Benard Thomas-Roudeix Vito Valdez |
PUBLICATIONS
Article – I.D.(no. 127), Claude Vercey, "Je suis un Cut-Up Vivant" (2009).
News article about Artrain USA Tour with photograph of the artist – "Building Creative Steam," The Norman Transcript (May 2004).
Artwork – Décharge art and literature magazine (no. 117), Égleny, France, Jean-Pierre Metge, ed. (2003).
Show Advertisements – Raw Vision art magazine, UK (2003, 2002 and 1997).
Artwork, articles and show notices – Metro Times, Detroit, MI (2003 and 1998).
Interview – Arts Agenda, Artist Profile Series, Karl Schneider, interview by Jacques Karamanoukian, Agenda, Ann Arbor, MI (September, 1997).
Letter to the Editor – John Elkerr, “Jacques Displays Daring Visions,” Agenda (October, 1995).
Article – Catherine O’Donnell, “Chairs give leg up to charity,” The Ann Arbor News (1993).
Artwork—Phare E. Kween, "Spirits Come out for Halloween," Between the Lines (November, 1993).
Artwork for charity event – “Out for Aids / Artists Respond,” Wellness Huron Valley and Parents FLAG Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, MI (1993).
Artwork – Bob Dargell, “Coping with Hate,” Between the Lines, Ann Arbor, MI (1993).
Illustrations – “Un Lézard Transsexuel et Cazil at His Kora,” Jacques Karamanoukian and Thomas Eisenbeiser, Publisher Galerie Jacques, Ann Arbor, MI (1991).
Article – John Carlos Cantu, "Tandem Press fosters diverse printmaking styles," The Ann Arbor News (December 1, 1991).
Artwork and cover design – Décharge art and literature magazine, Égleny, France, Jacques Morin, ed. (1991).
Artwork – Innovations #1, edited by David Detrich and Karl Kempton, Maple City (USA), Innovations Press (1991).
Review and artwork – Susan Isaacs Nisbitt, “Dance troupe brings humor to serious stuff," The Ann Arbor News (July 7, 1991).
Artwork--A House Divided, a Reaction Press Anthology, Ann Arbor, MI (Summer, 1991).
News – William B. Treml, “Prosecutor won’t test art exhibit,” The Ann Arbor News (October, 1990).
Show review – Amy Harmon, “Fear No Art,” Metro Times (October, 1990).
Show notice – “Double Date for Dance, 22 Monday,” Ann Arbor Observer (May, 1990).
Article and artwork – Veronica Pasfield, “Local Color,” Detroit Monthly magazine, Detroit, MI (March, 1990).
Artwork and review – John Carlos Cantu, “John Elkerr: A Talented Young Artist in Transition,” Ann Arbor News (March 11, 1990).
Artwork--Agenda (March, 1990).
Artwork – “The Minotaur in the City,” Ann Arbor Observer, (March, 1990).
Article about Fear No Art Show – “Protester files complaint of obscenity against art,” The Ann Arbor News (1990).
Letter to the Editor – Ruth Beatty, “Dancers’ masks made by John Elkerr,” The Ann Arbor News (January, 11, 1990).
Artwork—Joann McNamara, “People Dancing fuses flamboyance with humor,” The Ann Arbor News (January 7, 1990).
Article and artwork —Lisa S. Powers, “Body Language,” Current (January, 1990).
Review – Marianne Danks Rudnicki, “The Choreography of Growth, “ Metro Times, Detroit, MI (July, 1989).
Artwork – “Man At Table” (1987), Agenda (May, 1989).
Review and artwork – John Carlos Cantu, “Masks: False faces, fresh perspectives make ‘Homolo/Kerr’ clever and interesting,“ The Ann Arbor News (October 25, 1987).
Article and artwork – Marianne Danks Rudnicki, "18 companies create mini-boom in dance scene," The Ann Arbor News (September 10, 1987).
Article – Marianne Danks Rudnicki, “Double Fun,” The Ann Arbor News (June 23, 1987).
Review – Marsha Miro, “Other solid work in show by John Elkerr,” Detroit Free Press (April 28, 1987).
Article and artwork—Gayle Richman, “A Fetish for Fingers,” photography by Catherine Greene, Artemāge (Winter, 1986).
Artwork—6-1/2, Journal of Erickson’s Stage, Vol. 2, No. 1 (June, 1985).
Artwork – Fun magazine (1984).
Review and artwork, Detroit Free Press (October 20, 1984).
Artwork – “Mobile Art,” The Michigan Daily (April 8, 1984).
Photograph of artist – “Only the smile isn’t painted,” Detroit Free Press (October 20, 1983).
Exhibit review and artwork: Robert Iglehart, “Store-front Show a Fine Way to Exhibit Art,” The Ann Arbor News (May 23, 1982).
Exhibit review—“’Neo’ exhibit reflects abnormal, significant changes,” Eastern Echo, (February 9, 1982).
Article and artwork— Dan Acosta, “Quarter Panel Gallery,” photography by Terry Yank, Monthly Detroit, Detroit, MI (1981).
Artwork--Full Circle, Huron High School, Ann Arbor, MI (1976/77).
MULTI-MEDIA AND INTERNET
Online review – Jan Thomas, “Mojo on the Maumee,” Toledo City Paper (2014).
http://www.toledocitypaper.com/February-Issue-1-2014/Mojo-on-the-Maumee/#Arts & Entertainment Dancing with Judas, a film by Stephen Eric Berry, Ann Arbor, MI (2014) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOZrVhH-oT4 The Minotaurs of John Elkerr, a film by Stephen Eric Berry, Ann Arbor, MI (2014) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gI2BeVyZj0 Last Taxi Home, a film by Stephen Eric Berry, Ann Arbor, MI (2015) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzN6TUCajRk Hole in My Head, a film by Stephen Eric Berry, Ann Arbor, MI (2015) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ1jVJujRcc Artwork on CD inner sleeve – Dick Siegel, Snap! (2003). Artwork in online article – http://www.thedfetroiter.com/b2newscritic/ (2003) Postcard artwork – Ron Allen, "The Relative Energy Sack Theory Museum," Zeitgeist Gallery, Detroit, MI (2002). Set design – “DeSoto Sonata: a ballet in four parts,” Performance Network, Ann Arbor, MI (1991) Mask designs – “People Dancing,” Performance Network, Ann Arbor, MI, Whitley Setrakian and Dancers and Dick Sieigel, music. Ann Arbor Arts Festival, University of Michigan Power Center, Ann Arbor, MI (1987, 1989, and 1990). Album cover art – Tracey Lee & the Leonards (1988). Album cover design – Tomorrow Morning, Tracey Lee and the Leonards (George Bedard, Dick Siegel, Tracey Lee Komarmy), Boo-Kay Records, Canada (1987). The American Dream, a film by John Elkerr (1986) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qny0Uw86_Js Set design – “Little Girl Makes Big Noise,” Performance Network, Ann Arbor, MI (March, 1985) |
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Musée de La Création Franche, Bégles, France – Museum collection of Gerard Sendrey.
John Elkerr: Detroit Institute of Arts Research Library & Archives, Archival material, OCLC Number 851182814, 24 cm. folder.
John Elkerr: Detroit Institute of Arts Research Library & Archives, Archival material, OCLC Number 851182814, 24 cm. folder.