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 […]
“John T. Unger Debuts FlatPack Architectural Fire Feature.” Casual Living 3 July 2012: Print.
John in Mississauga, Ontario just sent in some gorgeous photos of his Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit. The nighttime photo above even shows a flame that looks much like the signature Phoenix carved into every flame design fire pit I create. John also shared the details of how he set up the fire pit […]
Last year, Chris Guillebeau asked me to make an Olympic style torch that would travel cross country with Adam Baker to be lit at the opening ceremony of the inaugural World Domination Summit. I loved the idea, and the traveling torch was a great success. Here’s Adam lighting the torch at the opening ceremony: I […]
Seaworld San Antonio’s new Aquatica Waterpark rented two of my Waves Sculptural Fire Pits for their VIP Grand Opening. The fire pits are a temporary installation just for the Grand Opening, but there is a strong possibility that I’ll be doing some custom stingray themed fire pits for the Aquatica later in the year. The […]
Lori in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan just sent me the above photo of her Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit with a note: We love our new fire pit and thought you might like a photo. You do beautiful work! I love the way this installation turned out. I made the base a little shorter than […]
Every now and then, I get a request for a Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit without the signature phoenix. I’ve always turned those requests down because I feel that the phoenix is such an important part of the design— it not only relates to fire, but signifies the rebirth of scrap metal into […]
A fire pit is the most essential part of any rustic campsite— it doesn’t need to be fancy, but as the center of social activities it must be pleasing to the eye. That’s why Michael in Olivette, MO chose the Big Bowl O’ Zen 37 inch Sculptural Firebowl™ when he built a gathering spot at his home in the forest.
With Diamond Head and sunsets over the Pacific Ocean behind them, the eight Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pits at Rumfire Waikiki manage to hold their own visually. Since 2008, these fire features have contributed the the restaurant and bar’s chic atmosphere, bringing tropical flair to a space already deeply infused. From the dining room, […]
On the drive down to SXSW this year we decided to take a few days extra and enjoy the trip, stopping to photograph some of the more awesome fire pit installations that were (sort of) on the way. The first stop was Nada, a stylish purveyor of “ingredient driven, contemporary Mexican cuisine.” The reviews […]
Four King Isosceles Sculptural Fire Pits graced the roof line of Cafe Adobe in Houston, TX. At each end of the front facade, a fire pit lit the building and two were installed above the central dining patio above a stone fireplace. I wish it had been a sunnier day when I visited to take […]
Guillebeau, Chris. The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future. Crown Pub, 2012. Print.
MacLeod, Hugh. Freedom Is Blogging in Your Underwear. New York: Portfolio, 2012. Print.
“South African Cave DMCV-905H.” Man Caves. DIY. 23 March 2012. Television.
“Get Out! The Backyard Can Be Quite Luxurious.” Broward Design, Boca Design, Gold Coast, Fort Lauderdale Magazine, Boca Life Feb. 2012: 26. Print and digital. Miami Design, Palm Beacher. Digital only.
Kleon, Austin. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
About a year ago, I shipped my first Sculptural Firebowl to Australia, a Phoenix + Flames Sculptural Fire Pit for a log home in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. Craig just sent me some photos of the fire pit, now that they’ve finished their landscaping. I like the rough log pavilion for what […]
“Perfect for the Patio.” Garden Center Magazine Feb. 2012: 46. Print.
The largest fire pit I’ve done to date is the 53 inch diameter Meridian Sculptural Fire Pit installed on the 6th floor pool deck at Allure Waikiki. I absolutely love the above photo by Eric Staudenmaier and how it captures the glow of the fire on the teak deck. If Eric were based in Hawaii […]
Crews, Nichole. “New Flames.” Casual Living Feb. 2012: 14. Print.
“Beer Garden Cave” Man Caves. DIY. 10 Feb. 2012. Television.
This photo of the King Isosceles Sculptural Fire Pit at WaterWalk Place in Wichita is stunning! Chris did a great job of shooting a night photo that still gives a sense of the landscape around the firebowl. WaterWalk Place is a multi-use destination on the banks of the Arkansas River in the heart of the […]
Christina Celenza and Tyler Roy enjoy toasting s’mores on a recent date around one of the Zen Sculptural Fire Pits at Frankford Hall in Philadelphia. The photo shoot, organized by Nick Silva and shot by Pete Hall, turned out great! I love the star-like lights in the trees in the first photo and Christina and […]
Campfire cookouts come to the city as Philly beerhall puts the fun into functional art. Surprise success of snack sales could point the way to a new restaurant trend— Handcrafted fire pits from Hudson Valley Fire Pits are sparking increased food and beverage sales for Frankford Hall, a Philadelphia, PA, biergarten with a modern twist. […]
Suqi, Rima. "Warding Off Winter." The New York Times 29 Dec. 2011: D1-D7. Print.
Barton, Ryan. Smart Marketing. Los Angeles: Rhizome, 2011. Print.
Fields, Jonathan. Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance
Alex Townsend was a passionate artist and musician studying graphic design at the Savannah College of Art and Design when he tragically passed away at the age of 21. As a remembrance, the family commissioned me to create a firebowl incorporating Alex’s signature tag.
Art Sea Street Fair in Lincoln City Focuses on Recycled Art. Hipfish [Astoria, OR] 11 June 2011: 20. Print.
“Artist Uses Recycled Objects for Artwork.” News-Times [Newport, OR] 10 June 2011: B2. Print.
“Bottle Caps, Prints and Princesses.” Oregon Coast TODAY 10 June 2011: 6. Print.
“Firing up the ‘Art Sea’ne.” The News Guard [Lincoln City, OR] 8 June 2011: Front Cover, B1. Print.
