Joe Bova, b. 1941

Statement: "What the I Ching says about grace below is as close to the truth as I know about what are my concerns in work with clay."--Joe Bova

'The most perfect grace consists not in external ornamentation but in allowing the original materail to stand forth, beautified by being given form.'--The I Ching
(Grace p.495) Richard Wilhem translation, Princeton University Press 1950, Princeton, New Jersey.
Description of art from the artist's biographical summary: "His work is figurative and uses both human and animal imagery. At times somewhat surreal and at others more lyrical, it always reveals the direct evidence of his hand. A great admirer of Giacomo Manzu, he believes that making art and understanding art requires intellectual rigor, yet is fundamentally a somatic experience."

Education: Univeristy of New Mexico and University of Houston

Employment: Ohio University--Director of the School of Art 1990 to present
Louisianna State University 1971-1990

In additon to his university work, Joe Bova has been a visiting artist at many schools, taught at alternative schools, conducted workshops, served on the board of the National Council of Art Administrators, served as President of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) 1992-94 and is a recipient of regional and national fellowships.

Exhibitions: Joe Bova's art has been exhibited internationally and is included in several books about ceramics. The most recent book is The Craft and Art of Clay by Susan Peterson. Recent exhibitions include the University of Florida, Joanne Rapp Gallery, Scottsdale, NE, The Nebraska Museum, Penland Gallery, NC and Blue Spiral Gallery, Ashville, NC.

(biographical information last updated on September 28, 1999)

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