He Eats Bad Dreams, 1997Wood, Steel & Mixed14.5″ x 11.5″ x 3″Private Collection The body of this figure is made from a weathered post from a bed frame. His arms are bones. His chest is open so that he can take bad dreams directly into his heart and chew them up with the jawbones. His […]
Bizango Bottle, 1998Glass, Clay, Bone & Mixed13″ x 4″ x 5″Available An early interpretation of Haitian libation bottles. The bottle is wrapped in paper covered with gris gris dirt. The spiked steel panel is part of an old steamer trunk. Clay studs ring the top of the bottle. Unidentified animal skull.
Victory, 1998Bottle, Napalm, Paper & Mixed16″ x 3″ x 3″Collection: Lamprey Archives The heart and skull are cut from the Mexican Loteria deck. The bottle is wrapped in paper, steel mesh and twine. A diamond of mirror is held by the twine. The bottle is filled with homemade napalm in honor of Robert Duval’s line […]
He’s Got the Book of Circles, 1997Wood, Copper, Steel, Bone22″ x 5.75″ x 8.25″Available
Construction, 1998Wood, Iron & Mixed10″ x 3.5″ x 3″Available This piece pays homage to Russian Constructivism in it’s use of abstract forms and machine parts. the figure suggests a worker about to spring into action. The steel making up the head and torso is a doorknob and its housing. The legs are an unidentified machine […]
Cat figure, 1995Wood, Steel, Bone & Mixed25.25″ x 4″ x 5.75″Available
Root Doll No. 3, 1999Wood, Bone & Mixed12″ x 6″ x 6″Private Collection The Root Doll series was inspired by New Orleans hoodoo dolls.
Root doll, 1997Wood, Twine, Steel & Mixed12″ x 10″ x 3″Private Collection The Root Doll series was inspired by New Orleans hoodoo dolls. This was the first one, which I put together in a friend’s back yard, while traveling.
Snakedance on Two feet, 1997Wood, Bone, Steel36″ x 21.75″ x 11.75″Private Collection I found this root somewhere on the California coast while on a long road trip. The iron bands were salvaged from the strapping on a steamer trunk. The tail is steel rod.
Iron Fetish No. 4, 1997Steel, Bone, Wood & Mixed7″ x 3.25″ x 3″Private Collection The body of the figure is an old glass cutter, rusted almost beyond recognition. The notches used for snapping glass give the figure a nice profile.
Grave guardian, 1997Wood, Bone, Steel & Mixed8″ x 5″ x 4.5″Private Collection A carved figure in cedar wearing a steel mask with horns guards an open crypt.
Born Under the Thirteenth Sign, 1999Wood, Steel, Paint56.5″ x 46″ x 2″ 1999Available A pregnant beast squats to give birth. Acrylic paint and oil stick on reclaimed steel. The steel panel on which this piece is painted was signage salvaged from Maxwell Street in Chicago, where B. B. King played the first electric blues.
Calavera, 1999Wood, Steel, Paint56.5″ x 46″ x 2″Available Acrylic paint and oil stick on reclaimed steel. The steel panel on which this piece is painted was signage salvaged from Maxwell Street in Chicago, where B. B. King played the first electric blues.
Reliquary, 1999Wood, Wax, Bone & Mixed19.5″ x 36″ x 3.5″Private Collection reliquary was a study for a series in which I intended to cast various objects into large slabs of wax to be suspended from chains as space dividers, or screens. The charred board that makes up the back panel was salvaged from a church […]
Two Eyed Jack of Bones, 1997Wood, Steel, Bone & Mixed17″ x 10.5″ x 1.75″Available The jawbones reference Samson, hunting and strength. Rulers, of course, measure. The spears are juxtaposed against the sharp steel painted with danger stripes. The figures in the collage appear in color and black and white, are opposites, are reversed and mirrored. […]
Crossed, 1999Wood, Photograph, Paper & Mixed21″ x 18.25″ x 3.5″Available Crossed draws from various Hoodoo folk magics. The pods at the top are locust beans, alluding to biblical plagues. The poster that forms the top element of the collage was used as found. the hanging phrase seems more ominous than any finished sentence would be.
Papa Ghede Bell garçon, 2000 Wood, Steel, Paint & Mixed 18″ x 32″ x 2.25″ Available The song that gives this piece it’s name translates: Papa Ghede, he’s a pretty good guy Papa Ghede, he’s a pretty good guy He’s dressed all in black Because he’s going to the palace The song tells the story […]
Jubilee Crucifix, 1998Wood, Steel & Mixed27.25″ x 26″ x 4.5″Available The wooden panel is a section of a door, burned and touch with gold spray paint. The body of the crucifix is carved and blackened wood. Found scrap steel completes the torso. The wings are from a farm implement. The face is the latch of […]
Medicine Tree, 1999Wood, Glass, Cloth, clay & Mixed12.5″ x 17″ x 14″Private Collection Essentially an abstract, Medicine Tree pays visual and metaphoric homage to Kongo and Hoodoo traditions. The medicine jars are covered in cloth bags treated with red clay. The eye on the larger bottle is a piece of mirror set into an eye-shaped […]
All Guitars Go To Heaven, 1997Wood, Steel & Mixed64″ x 34″ x 6″Private Collection This piece began as as part of an assemblage/mixed media mural project, approximately 50′ x 20′ that I worked on with Juan Angel Chavez & Chris Silva. It was never finished and was abandoned when I left Michigan for New York. […]
Snakes Came In & Out, 1997 Wood, Steel & Mixed 11.5″ x 8.25″ x 1.25″ Private Collection This piece began as an accident— I was buying the postcard and the plastic snake and liked the way they juxtaposed in my hand. I built the rest of the work around that happy accident. The steel with […]
Figure with Flames & Moon, 1996 Wood, Glass, Paper, Acrylic 6.25″ x 8.25″ x. 5″ Private Collection The figure and moon are carved out of the painted glass in reverse. The flames and the scythe-like shape in the left corner are paper on the front of the glass. Mounted with nails onto scorched wood.
Torso Fetish, 1996Wood, Steel, Bone, horse hair & Mixed10.5″ x 4.25″ x 1.5″Private Collection
Detroit Icon, 1998 Wood, Photos, Glass, steel mesh & Mixed 7.5″ x 6.5″ x 1″ Private Collection Both the photo of Jesus and the one of a damaged brake drum were found in the garbage at a Kinkos in Ann Arbor, MI. Combined under glass and steel mesh, they produce a hybrid holy image for […]
Marriage Arch, 1997Wood, Paper & Mixed8″ x 7″ x 1.5″Private Collection
Marriage Door, 1997Wood, Paper & Mixed8″ x 7″ x 1.5″Private Collection
Death & Transfiguration, 1996Wood, Steel, Glass & Mixed29″ x 16″ x 1.5″Private Collection Acrylic and spray paint on steel, inset into an aged and burned wooden panel from a door. The frame of broken glass is a visual reference to the nails of nkisi sculptures. The shattered glass also functions as containment for spirits.
Sextablos, 1999Acrylic paint and Xerox transfer onto steel8″ x 10″ x .01″Private Collection These four Xerox transfers were created for the exhibit Sextablos, curated by Michael Hernandez de Luna. “The exhibition featured the work of 60 contributing artists who were asked to adapt the Mexican retablo (small paintings on metal) typically reserved for personal expressions […]
Mojo Set, 1998Wood, Steel, Bone, Velvet & Mixed3″ x 9″ x 5″Private Collection The six small figures in this set bear a slight resemblance to the work of the anonymous artist known as the Philadelphia Wireman. Each small talisman is made from small bits of found steel that were suggestive of a figure. […]
Small Hand, 1995Wood, Steel, Bone & Mixed7″ x 4.5″ x 1″Private Collection A charred antique box for microscope slides holds the bones of an animal paw nailed to an image cut from an old book. A cloud of rusty steel.
Desire, 1998Wood, Glass, Wire & Mixed7″ x 4.5″ x 1.25″Collection: The Lamprey Archives This was a piece made for The Ever So Secret Order of the Lamprey, based on the word “Desire.” The box is an antique box for microscope slides, the wood is the scar left from a cut branch, found as driftwood on a […]
Study for Reliquary Wall, 1999Wood, Wax, Bone7″ x 4.5″ x 1.25″Available This was an initial study for a series in which I intended to cast various objects into large slabs of wax to be suspended from chains as space dividers, or screens.
Stigmata, 1998Wood, Wax, Thorns7″ x 4.5″ x. 5″Collection: The Lamprey Archives This was a piece made for The Ever So Secret Order of the Lamprey, based on the word “Stigmata.” The Ever So Secret Order of the Lamprey was a group of Chicago artists and non-artists who met weekly, bringing some creative expression based on a […]
The Beautiful Story, 1998
Wood, Paper & Mixed
10″ x 7″ x 2″ 1998
Private collection
Book of Spells, 1997
Paper, Steel, Aluminum, Acrylic & Mixed
10″ x 8″ x 2″
Private Collection
Navigator’s Log, 1995Paper, Cardboard, Steel & Mixed12″ x 9.5″ x 1″Private collection Artist’s Book in mixed media collage. Bound with copper rivets over tape measure.
Six Poems, 1996Paper, Photographs, Transparencies, Ink9″ x 9″ x. 5″Private collection Artist’s Book in mixed media collage. A hinged Japanese fold binding, alternating collage and poems.
Xenoglossophobia, 1995
Paper, Acrylic & Mixed
8″ x 11.5″ x .25″
Private collection
Daily Confection just posted a really fun phone interview I did with Gary Connolly. We discussed a broad set of topics including art, business, marketing, the ways that blogging and the web in general have impacted my work as an artist and 30 foot fire-breathing dragon boats…. After I gave it a listen, I realized that I haven’t ever posted photos of the dragon boat here on the blog, so I figured it was time… This was a fun project I did with my friend Neil Verplank to figure out what you could get away with on the Chicago River…. So five days later, we sailed the first of many dragon boats down the river just to see what would happen. The improvised flame thrower worked pretty well although you had to lean out over the river and hang onto the dragon’s neck in order to light it.
Biggest Indulgence: Our outdoor fire pit by John T. Unger. We are trying to not spend any money on our home yet, so this was kind of a splurge for us right now. We are trying to do what we can to make minimal updates to the home without spending too much. We figured […]
At Weber Grill Restaurant in St. Louis, MO, two Zen 37 inch Sculptural Firepits on tall pillars flank a statue of George Stephen, Sr., the inventor of one of the most iconic outdoor grills of all time. As an aficionado of grilling and Barbecue, I’m thrilled to have my fire pits displayed at at a […]
Smith, Lynn Adams. "Editor’s Pick." Princeton Magazine May-June 2015. Print.
This commission came through Edgewood Orchard Galleries in Fish Creek, WI. They had a customer who loved the Waves O’ Fire Sculptural Firebowl, but also really loved the phoenix on the Great Bowl O’ Fire.
Old Glory is an American flag created from over 20,000 Budweiser bottle caps and was commissioned by Golden Voice and Budweiser for the 2015 Stagecoach Music Festival. Measuring ten feet tall by sixteen feet wide, for a total of 160 square feet, Old Glory is my largest bottle cap artwork to date. The short documentary […]
Cover art. Erbani, Francesco. Pompei, Italia. Milan: Feltrinelli, 2015. Print.
Sonia Simone interviewed me for her podcast The Confessions of a Pink-Haired Marketer on rainmaker.FM. You can listen to the interview or read the transcripts at the following links: Business and Marketing for Artists and Creative Workers, Part OneBusiness and Marketing for Artists and Creative Workers, Part Two Simone, Sonia. “Business and Marketing for […]
Stuart, Ryan. "Where There's Fire." Cottage Life Summer 2015: 78-84. Print.
Recio, Belinda. "Playing with Fire— Artist John T. Unger's Beautiful and Functional Firebowls." Organic Spa Magazine May-June 2015: 44-45.
Old Glory was a huge hit at the festival! Here’s a little video of just some of the Instagram selfies taken with the flag. People lined up day and night to take their picture with Old Glory. One thing I really liked was how, as each person or couple or group climbed up on the […]
My step-son Don drove the flag out to Indio, CA and helped me assemble it when we got there. I’d been very worried that the flag might be damaged by the vibration of a long road trip but it arrived fully intact. If you look closely at the front board of the frame, you can […]
The trailer is here and it’s install day! My studio assistant Jamie and I carry out the first of the big sections. Laying all the panels out and hoping that they fit easily into the framework as planned. My plan was for the flag panels to mount to 4×4 posts that were attached horizontally across […]
It’s not a big cameo, but you can see a few of RumFire’s eight Great Bowl O’ Fire Sculptural Firebowls in the background as Jorge Garcia walks past the pool. “Ua Heleleʻi Ka Hoku.” Hawaii Five-0, season 5, episode 21, CBS, 10 Apr. 2015.
The four main panels are finally finished! I’ll add a few fill caps to the seams once it is installed at the festival, but for now, it’s ready to travel. Now onward to make the bottom two stripes. To minimize the seams, the bottom stripes are made of two long panels rather than four short […]
The stars are finished on panel two! A close up shot of the caps. I love the way this thing looks when you get up close and look across it at a low angle. Note that even though the copper coated nail heads are tiny, they add color to the entire piece and transform the […]
Beginning the fourth panel. The first step is lining up the rows so that they match the edge of the last panel. This is slightly difficult because they’re both 4 feet wide by 8 feet tall so it’s quite a reach to get the caps nailed along the edge with the panels side by side. […]
Week Three. The first panel is done and the stripes are finished on panel two. I moved on to the third panel partly to give my hand a rest from bending the stars and partly so I could get video footage of the second panel to show how the stars are done for the documentary […]
Marcie videotaped the first cap being nailed to the flag. Only 19,999 or so to go! The first couple rows of caps have been applied. Usually, I partially crimp all the caps so that they overlap and have no space at all between them. Because this piece is so huge, 10 feet tall by 16 […]
This is how 28,000 bottle caps arrived. The three boxes weighed 131.62 pounds altogether. I had no idea quite what to expect but rather thought the boxes might be a lot larger. It was fortunate that Budweiser donated the caps because there’s no way I could have collected enough of them to do a project […]
Patrick and Ann in Maryland own one of my very rare 52 inch Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pits. But they also have something that no one else has as yet— custom Prometheus Torches that are not only plumbed for gas, but can be turned on and off from anywhere using a phone! Patrick was […]
So excited to see the Great Bowl O’ Fire Sculptural Firebowls I made for RumFire at the Sheraton Waikiki on Hawaii Five-0!
Kleon, Austin. Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered. New York, NY: Workman, 2014. Print. pp. 166–168.
Gale, Amiria. “150+ Art Careers – The Ultimate List.” Student Art Guide, Cambridge International Examinations , 19 Oct. 2018.
“Castles.” Epic. 30 Oct. 2013. Television.
Weber, Cheryl. "Outdoor Products." Custom Home Winter 2013: 52. Print.
When Kevin called from Long Beach , CA he already knew that my firebowls will last generations. Thinking about how the firebowl would be passed down through his family, he wanted to commission a custom piece that would tell a story about his present family to the generations to come.
Patrick in Hayward, CA bought his Fire Sculptural Fire Pit four years ago and just sent me the following testimonial and photos: I chose the bowl of fire because it’s a perfect piece of art. You have made something beautiful out of recycled material. As much as I like eco friendly art, it all too […]
The second email quoted in this post brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. It is a beautiful, tragic, yet ultimately inspiring letter. The woman who wrote these prefers to remain anonymous but graciously agreed to let me share her story and artwork here. It’s a story that reminds us of the […]
Gracing a raised fountain promontory, the Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit at Sandals Ochi in Ocho Rios, Jamaica makes quite the tropical statement! From the photo above you can see that it definitely puts guests in a festive mood as they enjoy the poolside bar. Fire features are a central component to the […]
The Great Bowl O’ Fire Sculptural Firebowl™ was the star of Caribbean Courtyard, Season 2, episode 5 of Billy Derian’s DIY Network show Extra Yardage. The episode first aired September 4, 2012. The description on the site is a bit brief, but since I have great before and after pictures provided by Sean Boyriven, the […]
The Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit was the star of Caribbean Courtyard, Season 2, episode 5 of Billy Derian’s DIY Network show Extra Yardage. The episode first aired September 4, 2012. The description on the site is a bit brief, but since I have great before and after pictures provided by Sean Boyriven, the […]
Two colors of FireCrystals Fire Glass are used to make a spiral design I don’t usually get to visit my firebowls in their home, but I was so blown away by this Seabrook, TX installation of the Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit that I had to make a side trip through Texas to see […]
Whitman, Kari. "Green Spaces." Ocean Home June-July 2013: 89. Print.
For his La La Land Record Release Party last summer, philanthropist and pop star Sir Ivan Wilzig installed two Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pits flanking the pool of his 13,000 square-foot castle known as the “Playboy mansion of the East.” The event has been described as “sexiest party the Hamptons has ever seen” and […]
The King Isosceles Sculptural Fire Pit is featured this week on Season 3, Episode 2 of Decked Out with Paul Lafrance from HGTV. I haven’t been able to see the episode myself yet, but I love what I can see from the photos. Here’s the description of the project from Decked Out’s site: Paul and […]
“The Round Square Deck” Decked Out. HGTV. 6 May 2013. Television.
These photos of the King Isosceles Sculptural Fire Pits were shot by Drew Hadley for a feature in Montreal Home Living last year. Several of the shots were used in the magazine, but I was so blown away by those that I contacted Drew to license the photos from the entire shoot. I’m so glad […]
The Compass Sculptural Firebowl™ is the third custom design I’ve made for Graeme Cameron of Base Camp X. The idea appealed to me strongly because you can orient the bowl to the cardinal points and it will always tell you which way you’re facing.
The Classical Ellipse Sculptural Fire Pit is the centerpiece of several fountains in top notch hospitality environments. Brian Sweeney created a Japanese inspired fountain for the Glenn Hotel in Downtown Atlanta using my 24″ Classical Ellipse Sculptural Fire Pit. The serrated top of the firebowl was added later. The Glenn is an upscale boutique hotel […]
The Classical Ellipse Sculptural Fire Pit features as a social centerpiece in this Santa Monica garden patio designed by landscape architect Joseph Marek. The warm rust patina of the Fire Pit nicely complements the color of the walls and the outdoor cushions of the day bed. I’ve worked with Joseph on several of his projects […]
The Waves Sculptural Fire Pit at Onyx was only one of the club’s many outdoor amenities. I never had a chance to visit Onyx before its recent closure, but from all accounts it was quite the operation! A review of Onyx on Columbus Alive portrays Onyx as a venue with a wide variety of options: […]
Gary in Manchester Center, VT, sent this great picture of his Zen Sculptural Firepit and screen on a gorgeous bluestone patio. His email included the note: The backyard Deathstar is almost complete… I’d love to see another photo from further back, showing more of the patio and surroundings, but the fire pit looks very handsome […]
The Zen Sculptural Fire Pit overlooks the ocean in this Pacific Palisades garden design by Joseph Marek.The simplicity of the Big Bowl O’ Zen is a perfect match for this minimalist, modern design. The small square grass yard surround by stone terrace my favorite part of this design— a contrast of soft grass with cool, […]
The plaza fountain at BluEmber Restaurant in Rancho Mirage, CA was one of the first to incorporate my firebowls. A Classical Ellipse Sculptural Fire Pit is the centerpiece of the multi-level masonry fountain. At night, the fire fountain provides lighting and ambiance, by day it provides a warm gathering place. BluEmber features award-winning classic California […]
The first thing you see as you approach Chef Bobo Bergstrom’s Fire Grill Restaurant in St. Lucia, West Indies is the Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit he commissioned to extend the fire theme of his restaurant. It looks fabulous and I put it on a pedestal as a dramatic eye catching road sign alternative. […]
This stunning project by Montreal designer Endrée Villeneuve of Vision enVert uses three King Isosceles Sculptural Firebowls™ to great effect. The firebowls flank a pool on stone pillars, with gorgeous waterfalls feeding into the pool to create a soothing soundscape. Built on the shores of the St. Lawrence River in Notre Dame de I’lle Perrot, […]
This stunning project by Montreal designer Endrée Villeneuve of Vision enVert uses three King Isosceles Sculptural Fire Pits to great effect. The firebowls flank a pool on stone pillars, with gorgeous waterfalls feeding into the pool to create a soothing soundscape. Built on the shores of the St. Lawrence River in Notre Dame de I’lle […]
Rispin, Phillipa. "Inspired by California." Montreal Home Autumn 2012: 2-17. Print.
Brown, Sara. "Fire Starter." Timber Home Living Dec. 2012: 17. Print.
The goal of this project was to create a firebowl nested within an outer ring so that it appears to float in air. I am super happy with the way this one turned out! I’m also really impressed with the landscaping around the firebowl— it’s a great space!
Emily sent me photos of her Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit in both the US and UK, which she has carried across the Atlantic twice! This is a fire pit I made in 2006, so it looks a bit different than the current Fire Sculptural Fire Pit. The photo at top of page is […]
Tucked into shade and seclusion, I suspect this Classical Ellipse Sculptural Fire Pit offers peaceful respite in Los Angeles. From where the photo is taken, you’d never guess that this serene social area was smack in the middle of a major metropolitan city. A tree, a privacy hedge of what looks like bamboo and Adirondack […]
Doug in Castle Rock, Colorado was kind enough to send in these great photos of his King Isosceles Sculptural Fire Pit. The large stones and and gravel patio have a Zen garden feel. I really like the double ring of limestone pavers that define the patio space.
Usually my firebowls appear on TV without me. I ship them to the set and only see the show much later. For the Surf’s Up with the Greens episode of My Yard Goes Disney JayTV sent Rich Brauer out to the studio to film me making the Waves O’ Fire 37 inch Sculptural Firebowl™ featured […]
Rimmer in Madison, Mississippi sent in these dramatic photos of his Waves Sculptural Fire Pit that show how lovely the fire is when reflected in a pool. There’s something very poetic about the flame from a Waves O Fire being doubled in the water of the pool. The fish design chaise chairs are awesome— would […]
I love this modern, multi-level deck! The Classical Ellipse Sculptural Fire Pit complements it very well. Note how closely the patina of the bowl matches the wooden deck. This space is set up nicely for entertaining or hanging out with friends and family. Glenn wrote: Just had the first BBQ in the back yard. Your […]
Usually my Fire Pits appear on TV without me. I ship them to the set and only see the show much later. For the Surf’s Up with the Greens episode of My Yard Goes Disney JayTV sent Rich Brauer out to the studio to film me making the Waves Sculptural Fire Pit featured on the […]
“Outdoor Living.” Garden Center Magazine Aug. 2012: 48. Print.
“Cooperative Effort Brings Outdoor Sculptures to Charlevoix.” Petoskey News 27 July 2012: n. pag. Print.
“Surf’s Up with the Greens. HMYGD-207H” My Yard Goes Disney. HGTV. 8 July 2012. Television.
A Zen 37 inch Sculptural Fire Pit provides a meditative space on the deck of Rass Mandal, a charming boutique retreat in the mountains above Santa Fe, New Mexico. With only six bedrooms, guests and visitors are limited to no more than ten at a time, making it an ideal location for more intimate gatherings […]
