John Jensen was born in Newport Beach, CA in 1971, and was raised in Los Angeles. John was exposed to knives at a very early age. He was born with a birth defect known as a cleft lip and palette. Throughout his formative years, sharp surgical instruments were in his face both figuratively and literally. He also experienced knives from an archaeological viewpoint. Throughout his childhood he traveled throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East where he learned the historical importance of knives as tools. These early influences helped John discover the "art" of knives. Fascinated with both art and culture from an early age, John actively pursued these interests growing up. After John graduated high school, he decided to delve into his passions full time. His interests led him to study at "The Savannah College of Art and Design", where he took his first classes in jewelry and sculpture. In 1992, John transferred into the Jewelry and Metals Department at Rhode Island School of Design. This is where he perfected the technical skills of jewelry fabrication and metalsmithing. He also studied sculpture, painting, glass ceramics and photography. Throughout his studies John found himself searching for a platform to express his creativity. In 1994, John re-discovered the knife and his sense of aesthetic finally found a home. In 1996, John graduated with a B.F.A. in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from RISD. After graduation he delved completely into the knife world and show circuit. Since then he has dedicated himself to the "art knife" as his sole medium.
Knives as Art, offer John a focal point for all of his varied interests. In these modem times "Art" is defined as a platform for ideas. The knife is where John exercises and expresses his thoughts on art, culture, sociology, archeology, anthropology, and metaphor, all with stunning virtuosity.
John has made sufficient headway in his quest to merge the art and knife worlds. He is exhibiting more in galleries, as well as giving lectures and conducting workshops on knives. In the spring of2004, John was a featured speaker at The Society of North American Goldsmiths annual conference, where his presentation "Art Knives: The. Passion, The Quest, The Controversy" was well received by an audience of nearly 400.
Along with being an active member of SNAG, John is also an Apprenticesmith with the American Bladesmith Society, and a Voting Member of the Knifemakers Guild. John has been featured in over forty-five publications, nationally and internationally. John specializes in high-end, one-of-a-kind, collector Art knives in his completely unique, unmistakable style. John's goal is to continue to build the bridge between the art, jewelry, and knife worlds.
John has a website.
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