John Hiltunen

John Hiltunen
John Hiltunen
New York City, USA: Books For All Press, 2016
96 pp., 8.875 x 8.25", softcover
Edition of 500

Carolyn Schoerner founded Books For All Press (BFA), a not-for-profit organization working with artists with developmental disabilities, after working at Printed Matter and White Columns. Matthew Higgs, her colleague at the latter, introduced her to Creative Growth in Oakland, California, which he has called "without reservation the most important cultural organization I have ever encountered.”

The Creative Growth Art Center is the oldest and largest art center in the world for people with developmental disabilities. Sturgis, Kentucky artist John Hiltunen has been attending Creative Growth for almost fifteen years. He initially made textiles, ceramics, and woodwork, but after participating in Paul Butler’s Collage Party in 2007, collage became a "consistent artistic pursuit."

This is his first artist book, and it continues his interest in combining animals from natural history magazines with outfits from fashion mags.

John Hiltunen can be purchased from the publisher for $30.00 US here, or from Creative Growth, here. The latter also stocks a wallet by Hiltunen and a deck of playing cards.

John Hiltunen | Collage

John Hiltunen
Collage
Oakland, USA: Creative Growth, 2016
6.5 x 9 cm.
Edition size unknown

The Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland California serves adult artists with developmental, mental and physical disabilities. The Center provides a professional studio and gallery, as well as a social atmosphere where artists can work among their peers. Founded in the early 1970s by Dr Elias Katz and his wife, artist Florence Ludins-Katz, it is the oldest and largest art center in the world for people with developmental disabilities.

We're not art therapists or a provider of social services," says Tom di Maria, who has served as the director of the Creative Growth Art Center since 2000. "We just say: Come here, find your way, find your voice and tell us your story. Take as much time as you need. There are now over 150 artists per week working with us."

Matthew Higgs calls the Center "without reservation the most important cultural organization I have ever encountered.”

Born in Sturgis, Kentucky in 1949, artist John Hiltunen has attended Creative Growth since 2003. He initially made rugs, wood work and ceramics, but began producing collages in 2006. After participating in Paul Butler’s Collage Party in 2007, his collage work became a "consistent artistic pursuit." Using mostly fashion and natural history magazines, Hiltunen creates images of absurdly well-dressed animals.

In 2012, John’s work was the focus of a major group exhibition curated by Higgs at Gallery Paule Anglim, San Francisco. He has also exhibited at White Columns, Rachel Uffner Gallery, the San Francisco International Airport, and had his work represented at contemporary art fairs like NADA Miami, the Independent, and Frieze New York. In 2013, he was honored as a recipient of the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation award.

In addition to stand-alone collages, Hiltunen produces collaged books as part of his practice. In September Books for All Press will release a 96-page title by the artist.

These poker size playing cards feature 53 images of original collage works by Hiltunen, housed in a plexi card case. They are available here for $15.00 US.