Steven Michael Vroom, takes a look back at the recent past of three local artists: John Sutton, Zac Culler and Ben Beres. Read on to find out more about this triad of sculptural, conceptual craftsmen.

Prelude: The Fundraiser at Café Venus/Mars Bar

Making art installations includes raising money to buy the materials to create the piece. On July 21, 2002 a raffle and benefit concert was held at the Café Venus/Mars Bar. The Red Hook Brewery, Joe Bar Café and members of the Seattle Arts community contributed items which were given away by raffle draw. Musical performances were given by Rose Thomas, Eric Fisher, and Damian Jurado & Gathered in Song.

Fundraiser Gallery

In creating the opening installation, Beres, Culler and Sutton were required to completely reconstruct the space from scratch. Hundreds of man hours were poured into the space, transforming former offices into exhibition space.

Conworks Gallery

Suyama Space Proposal: OPEN HOUSE

An architectural maquette was created for the proposed installation which was then given the green light.

Suyama Space Gallery

Critical Acclaim For the Installations

"Not in the exhibit but holding up the Seattle end of the conversation are three young artists in the special projects room -- Ben Beres, Zac Culler and John Sutton. I love their huge cone of newspapers, featuring the word "jitters" and "9/11" across its face; their phone full of messages (none of them for you); pile of lost keys and pencil the size of a pillar. To leave your mark, give it a strong shove”."

Regina Hackett, Art Critic, Seattle Post-Intellingencer, 09/20/2002

"But as of the preview this week, the most invigorating part of the Conworks lineup was the part that had nothing to do with the theme. It's an installation in the new "Solo Project Room," a space dedicated to providing a first show for emerging artists. For any artist, that's a big thing, but for artists whose work isn't commercially oriented, it's huge. The first installation is a collaboration by three recent Cornish grads, John Sutton, Ben Beres and Zac Culler. Even in its unfinished state, their project — a maze of controlled spaces, recorded words, and brain-quickening encounters with sculptural objects such as a giant pencil—shows terrific promise. The three artists have also been spotted by Suyama Space curator Beth Sellars and will have an installation opening there in October".

Shelia Farr, Art Critic, The Seattle Times 09/13/2002

Suyama Space Opening

"The installations by Sutton/Beres/Culler are less existentially dampening than Nauman's, earthier than Ono's, suggesting questions not only about claustrophobia and movement, but also free will and knowingly participating in being manipulated. That these questions may have been asked and answered before doesn't make these shows any less satisfying, largely because the immediate experience of being inside a constructed space is so... immediate, and the surprises about what is and isn't intentional"

Emily Hall, Art Critic, The Stranger 10/17/02

Trio: The Harmonic Voices of Visual Installation

Ben Beres, Zac Culler and John Sutton bring a new spirit to the process of installation art. I have observed them work, play and grow into a mature, seasoned chorus of sculptors who sing out to the viewer melodies of space, time and architecture. Their high-spirited joint efforts started when they met as students at Cornish College of the Arts. In the incubator of an Art school, they were exposed to the history of Modernism in both Europe and the Americas. They are as familiar with Futurism, Surrealism, Cubism, Constructivism, Dadaism, and the singular genius of Marcel Duchamp as any museum curator. By embracing the lessons learned from the avant-gardes, their work emerges with a true chorus of visual voices. Each artist of the trio works on his own projects. What makes this group of artists special is in their ability to work as an ensemble. Art is not a competition. When three artists can collectively raise their voices in perfect visual harmony, we are all the better for it. The trio of Sutton, Culler, and Beres achieve this end with grace, dignity, humor, and great aplomb. I am only more interested in what they might do next.

Steven Michael Vroom