Forest of Dreams

Art and Athletics have a lot in common.  Both strive for excellence.  There is a dream that takes hold early on to reach that distant goal. This series of sculptures is inspired by the fluid movement of players as they bound across the court. The sculptures have no straight lines or obvious shapes, much like a gazelle or cheetah or a tree.

 This represents the life and growth we are celebrating here. Also, did you notice? Each sculpture has the abstract shape of a basketball net, backboard, and pole! Ultimately, the sculptures represent the edge of a Forest, a crossing point from real, into dreams.  Lets get inspired by the Team to stay focused on our dreams, too. There is no wall.

- Jesse Small

Jesse Small grew up in Los Angeles, California.  He spent a lot of time in his Grandfather’s architecture office, drawing. In High School he participated in student government, California Boys State, Kids City, Student Conservation Association, and a variety of environmental projects.  An active graffiti artist, Small focused on murals and black and white photography.  At 17 he went to earn a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute.

Finishing a dual major in Sculpture and Ceramics, Small maintained a studio in Kansas City for 5 years and had several exhibitions, curated shows, created public art, and struggled to survive. In 2005 Small earned an MFA from Alfred University, and began a 6-month residency program in Jingdezhen, China.  This trip extended to a 5-month residency in Shenzhen as well.

In 2008 Small returned to China, working in Jingdezhen and Shenzhen.  Exhibiting ceramic and metal sculptures in Chong Qing, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jingdezhen and Shenzhen, all made in China.  Small recently completed a three-month work period in Jingdezhen for his solo exhibit “Heavy Toys.”  Being in China, learning language and a new set of cultural norms has been a massive inspiration on Small’s work and life.  He is directly investigating the pollination of ideas globally.  Small’s recent work focuses on Chinese pirating of products and ideas, how it helps and hinders the pollination of ideas.