JK Inson
b. 1946
JK Inson has been a working artist for 45 years, including work as a muralist, plein air oil painter, and a scenic artist in the film industry. He began carving stone when his wife, Cynthia Inson, asked him to create gemstones for her silver settings. From these small treasures, he moved onto larger stonework.
Spontaneity, and the substance of the stone, inspires Inson’s sculpture. “My work begins with the first mistake,” he says. “That first stroke that forces an intimidating disturbance of the material I have selected to modify and call my work of art.” Working with hand tools, Inson begins with the broad areas. He follows with pneumatic and hand grinding tools, finishing with polishing tools. His carving process is meditative, philosophical, and fluid.
“I work to balance what needs balancing,” Inson says, “and at [the] same time to understand what the stone is trying to say.” The final piece reflects his insights regarding the character of the stone, as well as his love for realism and abstractions of nature.
Inson’s work is also influenced by his training in archaeology, anthropology, and art history. He received a Master of Arts in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History from Wichita State University. In his designs, he balances the stylistic elements of different cultures with contemporary perspectives. Imbued with a blend of old and new, nature and humanity, ideology and technique, Inson’s sculpture is rich with philosophy and uncommon beauty.
