John Crowe, The Constant Evolving Present, is a show about artistic practice in coordination with educational practice. John Crowe’s identity as an artist has been irrevocably intertwined with modeling artistic behavior and process over product. As a result of this educational mindset, Crowe’s work is constantly in flux. Always evolving, always giving, the work of John Crowe reflects a life long dedication to his students and an artistic practice that spans decades.

The grouping of objects into “families” is a self designed system of artistic taxonomy. Those families being trophies, living files, calendars, items of inquiry etc. reflect Crowe’s inherent need and capacity to nurture, both his art practice and his students’ educational growth.

​Bowling Pins

Though comprised of many small pieces, the Bowling Pins are seen as one complete piece. Seen as formalist studies that live on the floor, Crowe’s Bowling Pins seem to be a play on formalism and its relevant importance in artistic practice.

Trophies

Perhaps the most sentimental and personal family, Crowe’s trophies are reminiscent of a time as a child when his brother’s sports trophies spilled over into his own personal space. Crowe’s trophies celebrate the beauty in found materials, and a joy in making the everyday object into something significant.

"Formalist"​ Pieces

Though the materials used in this series are arguably informal, Crowe considers these pieces to be an exploration into formal aspects of design. Consideration is given to line, color and balance of form.

Crash Pieces

The Crash Piece family incorporates found materials that are reworked and coupled together. These objects are bound by conversations of both balance and tension, and a sense of movement, as if at any moment they might crash into each other.

Wire Drawings

These wire sculptures become line drawings when light creates a reflection on to the surface behind them. These small pieces are created from found metal cages on the beach by Crowe’s home in Hull, Massachusetts. Small and personal, each piece is unique and creates different “drawings” as the light continually changes.

Items of Inquiry

Crowe’s Items of Inquiry are pieces that create a sense of context and purpose. Item of Inquiry #1 in particular is an homage to Richard Tuttle, where a simple object is both protected and put on display in a recessed frame. Item of Inquiry #3 is perhaps the most interactive of Crowe’s work, and can also be interpreted as a commentary on arbitrary methods of assessment in art education.

Living Files

An homage to artist Cy Twombly, Crowe’s Flower Drawings #1- 25 and #26-60 take on an iconic status. These panels eventually graduate to the Living Files, where they are housed and contained almost like precious relics. The order of the panels can be re arranged within the file as desired, allowing for the work to be constantly evolving, accommodating the viewer’s desire.

Calendars

Similar to the Living Files, Crowe’s Calendars can be altered by changing the individual cards that hang on each panel. Crowe has made literally hundreds of calendar cards over the years, though not to be taken literally as a calendar, these pieces are their own method of organization, of time, space and individual aesthetic.