Evolution ! (Heh Heh) : Jonathan Bonner, sculptures and works on paper

Evolution ! (Heh Heh) : Jonathan Bonner, sculptures and works on paper highlights the inventive and technically sophisticated work of this contemporary sculptor and draftsman. Bonner’s creations, ranging from sculpture and site-specific installations to works on paper, balance meticulous craftsmanship with playful, thought-provoking design. His craft invites a broad audience to engage with themes of balance, form, and perception, transforming everyday objects and natural forms—such as eggs and ellipsoids—into intriguing explorations of the tension between the organic and the industrial. Whether through kinetic sculptures activated by wind or biomorphic drawings, Bonner’s work offers a clever commentary on the intersection of art and the physical world, making his work both accessible and profoundly engaging.

The WaterFire Arts Center store + gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The exhibition is free and open to all, donations are encouraged.

The exhibition is on view in the WaterFire Arts Center gallery from Thursday, September 12 through Sunday, October 6, 2024, with an opening reception on Thursday, September 12th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m and a closing reception on Thursday, October 3rd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The third Thursday of the month, September 19th, is Gallery Night Providence, the WFAC gallery as well as other art spaces in the city are open late and trolley tours are available.

About the Artist

Jonathan Bonner is an accomplished artist known for his inventive and technically masterful sculptures that blend industrial precision with whimsical design. Trained in woodworking, furniture design, and metalsmithing, Bonner earned his BFA from the Philadelphia College of Art and his MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Over his career, he has created a diverse body of work, from kinetic sculptures that interact with natural elements to playful, thought-provoking pieces that challenge traditional notions of art. His work has been exhibited in prominent galleries and public spaces, making art accessible and engaging for a broad audience. Bonner’s contributions to the field of metalsmithing and contemporary sculpture have solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the evolution of American art.

instagram.com/jonabonner

Jonathan Bonner is a NetWorks Rhode Island artist profiled in the inaugural 2008 NetWorks catalogue. NetWorks Rhode Island, a visual arts project initiated in 2008 and concluding in 2016, was a project by Rhode Island arts sponsor and collector Joseph A. Chazan, M.D. The ‘NetWork’ documents, celebrates, and fosters the richly creative and diverse professional visual arts community in Rhode Island through profiles of individual artists and their work.

Bonner alongside 100+ NetWorks Rhode Island artists were featured in a large-scale exhibition at the WaterFire Arts Center, NetWorks Rhode Island, and the Chazan Collection: A Half-Century of RI Artistic Patronage, July 11 to September 1, 2024.