Frank Colson

John Balistreri is known for smaller functional works that beginning in 1984were fired in a wood kiln; sometimes with the addition of salt. In a move away from the traditional functional wood-fired works he began making monumental sculptures finished with a broad palette of bright colors. Themonumental sculptures are constructed using numerous elements which reference the vessel and human figure. Balistreri's sculptures reveal his interest in cultures, ancient ethnic structures, and Cubism.

Balistreri used the airplane and sail boat forms in a series. He states: ??My interest in these forms stems from their familiarity and relevance to our society, but also in their inherent beauty as objects?? Balistreri worked for a time in Jun Kaneko?s studio in Omaha, Nebraska where he had access to Kaneko?s very large kiln.

Balistreri and his students at Bowling Green State University have done extensive research, and trial and error experiments to develop the rapid prototyping process that allowed the conversion of digital files using a 3d printer into three-dimensional ceramic objects. He has explored this process in depth with the tea bowl form. First, a tea bowl is thrown in the traditional manner, then it is digitally scanned and finally digitally reproduced.