About
John Sharvin is a Seattle-based artist and fabricator whose practice bridges glass, metal, digital fabrication, and installation. Originally from Ohio, he received his BFA in glass from The Ohio State University in 2012. His background in engineering and mechanics shapes a systems-based approach to making, grounded in precision, problem-solving, and an interest in how complex forms are constructed.
Sharvin’s work explores speculative environments, shifting scale, and the relationship between technology and perception. Through fabricated forms and imagined systems, he examines internal dialogue, conflict, and transformation, often creating work that feels simultaneously mechanical, nostalgic, and slightly removed from reality.
Alongside his studio practice, Sharvin has extensive experience in large-scale fabrication and public art. He spent seven years at Pittsburgh Glass Center, eventually serving as Studio Technician Manager, and has contributed to major site-specific projects through digital modeling, fabrication, logistics, and project management. Most recently, he served as Project Manager for Phase 1 of a major Port of Seattle commission at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Sharvin is co-founder of Top Hat Glassworks in Seattle, where he continues to develop his individual practice alongside collaborative sculpture, public art, and education.
Artist Statement
The framework of my artistic pursuits, first began as an engineer. The exploration of seeking solutions drives my curiosity and the narratives found in my sculptural work.
Our journey into the universe is driven by the powerful intersections of technology, science, and robotics. Though we’ve only begun exploring space, our curiosity propels us to reach further, constantly challenging the boundaries of human knowledge. This fascination with the unknown has been central to my identity, inspiring me to examine not only the vastness of the cosmos but also the evolving relationship between humanity and technology.
As artificial intelligence advances, I am curious about the emotional potential within machines. Can AI experience emotions or create art in ways akin to human expression? This question blurs traditional lines between human and machine, encouraging a deeper exploration of our own nature as AI demonstrates capabilities once seen as uniquely human.
In my mixed media sculptures, I bridge the objective world of science with the ambiguous realms of imagination and possibility. Outer space, with its vast mystery, represents an invitation to seek answers and find meaning beyond the familiar. My narratives inject everyday mundane situations into unexpecting settings. I’m drawn to the contrast between the overwhelming emptiness of the celestial realm and the infinite possibilities it holds, mirroring our inner quest for identity and purpose.
I aim to capture the spirit of exploration and the resilience required to venture into the unknown. Every choice we make is a step into uncharted territory, a commitment to the path less defined. Each artwork serves as a reflection on transformation, embracing failure and uncertainty as catalysts for growth and discovery. I encourage viewers to confront the unknown, to see each threshold as an invitation to discover something new about themselves. In navigating the mysteries of space and self, I strive to illuminate the shared human drive for understanding, resilience, and curiosity to uncover the extraordinary potential within us all.
