Meet John
John Rubino was born in New York City. His mother, a gifted sculptor and painter in her own right, shared her love of the arts with him from the time of his earliest memories. Learning to weld at age 10, he spent his free time building and sculpting while his friend splayed ball. At age 15 he showed his first works at Mari Galleries in New York. After high school he spent a year at The Academy of Fine Arts in Florence (Italy). This was a definitive time for him, one that continues to influence his thinking. Following this experience he en-rolled at the University of Miami (Florida), and graduated with honors. Throughout his career sculptural form has predominated as Rubino’s main interest, which he has explored through the mediums of jewelry, abstract and figurative sculpture, monumental works, architectural design and functional structural sculpture. In addition to Structural Sculpture, Rubino’s current work involves portraits, expressive figures and abstract works. Pieces range in size from a few inches tall to larger than life or monumental. Most of Rubino’s work is in steel and bronze. Though John is a Virginia-based artist, he welcomes opportunities for sculpture projects around the globe. He is currently accepting commissions for new work.
Artist Mission
I can achieve a single moment of absolute distraction or contemplation, it affords me an opportunity for a rebirth of consciousness for that day. If my work initiates that degree of even momentary relocation, to another place or time, whether it be imaginary or historical, then I have succeeded.
Artist Statement
Art became part of my life as I stood at my mother’s knee and intently watched as she put oil to canvas. Although my art has become three dimensional, I can still smell the oils and turpentine that influenced me so, in my youth. My initial approach to sculpture was one of picking though scraps of metal and welding them together, in a somewhat spontaneous manner, until I had a finished piece. As I matured, I began to actually plan ahead and create pieces, which I had first drawn on paper or modeled in scale. After formal training in art, at The Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, and then at The University of Miami, I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1976. From then on most of my work began to be planned out in detail, and executed to, pre-determined specifications.
Today, I have taken a full turn back to my earlier approach, where my pieces are continuously in a state of creative flux, until completion. While I may draw numerous variations before even starting on the steel, the creative process continues until the piece is finished. I allow myself license to make changes, and even change direction, as the work progresses. This metamorphic approach is quite a departure from the plan, then execute, design procedures of my past.
Most importantly, I am experiencing more pleasure and personal gratification from my work, than ever before.
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