John Magnan, who specializes in woodworking and sculptures, has recently completed some home-based pieces now displayed around the fireplace of a new home. Magnan crafted his pieces using the South Coast’s biodiversity as inspiration. The selection, Magnan says, is to “visually and symbolically bridge the inside of the home to the outside world.”
Magnan, upon being contacted regarding the installation, shared some of his history and how exactly he arrived in Mattapoisett and in his craft:
“I moved to New Bedford to earn my MFA in sculpture at UMD after early retirement from a senior executive position at the National Security Agency in Maryland. My wife Annie Jonas and I always enjoyed spending time in Mattapoisett, so ten years ago we moved here.
“My artistic passion is working with a client to help them realize their personal vision through art. I draw my inspiration from them. It’s very satisfying getting to know what a family or organization is trying to express and then creating sculptures that present those thoughts in a tangible, permanent and beautiful form. I just finished three sculptures for the fireplace wall of a newly constructed home on the water. The couple’s love for the land and waterways, their place of inspiration and oneness with nature, led me to create a dramatic life size trio of a blue heron, loggerhead turtle, and red fox, all gazing through the windows to the great outdoors. Most of the time I work from my home woodshop studio, but for large-scale commissions I rent a separate space.
“As opportunities arise, Annie and I collaborate, as we did for a two-year national project for Eli Lilly to raise awareness of the importance of clinical trials; a multifaceted, multimedia permanent installation for the UMass Law lobby; and two exhibits that traveled around the country addressing social and environmental issues.
“I’ve been asked to create permanent installations for other clients, including Buzzards Bay Coalition, Southcoast Health Cancer Center, corporations, and private homes.”
For the Buzzards Bay Coalition, John created a school of wooden fish in the organization’s headquarters in New Bedford. Currently at UMass Law, Magnan has a few different installations on display. Pictures of all can be seen on his website.
“When I have the time, I enjoy exploring a wide variety of individual sculptural forms and ideas based on my observations of the world around me. Much of that work has been exhibited at Marion Art Center shows, and selected pieces are included in the collections of the Museum for Art in Wood in Philadelphia, the University of Connecticut Library, and the University of Wisconsin Kohler Art Library.”
Recently in 2020, Magnan’s art was showcased at the MAC in the exhibit “Thor’s Hammer” where he used Marvel Comics iconography to express social commentary on environmental/climate concerns, gender, the opiate crisis, law enforcement, and other tackled issues.
One of the joys of the Tri-Town is the interesting people and crafts to come across. Even in an area with relatively low population, the Tri-Town is still gifted by passionate and devoted artists bringing character and excitement to the region. John Magnan’s art highlights the importance of inspiration, as living in a place as naturally interesting and diverse as southern New England offers much of. It also highlights the importance of collaboration and teamwork, as he demonstrates with his wife Annie.
By Sam Bishop
