Jon Bunge’s Presence at the Bonsack Gallery

In Jon Bunge’s exhibition, Presence, at the Bonsack Gallery of John Burroughs School in St. Louis, Missouri, 23 sculptures, moving and turning in invisible air currents, appear to float inches above a hardwood floor. Made from the branches of trees, they evoke both a sense of mystery and a clear expression of the universe’s forces. Eight more works are included in a display case outside of the installation.

Duality emerges, with contrasting elements energizing the sculptures. Bunge deftly weaves a simultaneity of geometric and organic forms as the natural lines of the tree branches converge or explode in his carefully constructed arcs, half-spheres, spheres, and other invented forms. The sculptures possess both simplicity and complexity in almost equivalent measures, as simple spheres rendered from the humble tree branches also overflow with a complex multitude of hundreds of branches, textures, and natural colors. The sculptures diverge from one another, too, as open versus closed forms. A contrast of static versus kinetic, and fluid versus architecturally sturdy, is demonstrated in configurations that are at once solid in their material constructions while conveying ephemerality as they rotate, hanging from almost indiscernible filaments, in the slightest draft. These works are stable yet mutable, with colors and shadows shifting due to variations of light and movement.

Bunge has successfully attempted something difficult and profound by integrating the concrete materiality of resurrected tree branches with his non-objective inventions. The content transcends the material presence of the sculptures to capture a glimpse of a deep, enormous, and mysterious presence that is found in movement throughout the universe, in shadows formed by the absence of light, in the significant life forces of trees, as well as in scientific study and world religions.

Bunge’s titles embrace the mystery of presence having multiple meanings, demonstrating a striking visual/verbal syntax when coupled with each sculpture. While the curly willow branches of Trinity are constructed as three connected segments of pointed spheres, the word trinity is perhaps a nod to the Christian doctrine of God as three entities sharing one presence. The exuberant expanding half-sphere of Big Bang quite likely references cosmological theory on the origin and evolution of the universe. Meaning is never overdetermined, however, and even specific references such as “Trinity” and “Big Bang” are utilized in a manner that leaves room for interpretation and reflection.

The sculptures display careful, refined, and meticulous craft. It is difficult to precisely ascertain how Bunge assembled these structures, as no glue or nails are visible and nothing but the branches seem to exist. Bunge’s craft is so exquisite that the sculptural forms almost seem to have grown directly from nature, like new species of trees.

Bunge is an alumnus of St. Louis, Missouri’s John Burroughs School, where the non-profit Bonsack Gallery is located. This school is known for illustrious alumni in the arts, including Jon Hamm, Ellie Kemper, and Beau Willimon. Now based in New York City, Bunge returns to his roots in poetic and brilliant fashion.

Bunge states, “I hope this installation brings a new and interesting experience to viewers, one of quiet reflection and contemplation. If people feel a moment of peace in the midst of their stressful lives and the troubles of the world, then I will have done something good.” Two benches reside on either side of the gallery to encourage guests to spend thoughtful time with the installation.

All photos courtesy Jon Bunge

“Presence” will be at the Bonsack Gallery 9/30/21 through 11/24/21. For more information, please visit https://www.bonsackgallery.jburroughs.org

Elizabeth Meggs is a Brooklyn-based artist, illustrator, writer, and designer, whose most recent work includes paintings and photography. In the past decade, she has had five solo shows of new work, and exhibited in 75+ group shows.