
John Gerstner has career experience as a writer, photo-journalist, magazine editor, multi-media artist, video producer, Internet/intranet strategist, and book author/creative director. He authored and edited Genuine Value: The John Deere Journey, a coffee-table art business book named Best Coffee Table Book of 2001. Amidst his corporate career, John has never wavered in his passion for art. His art has been published and exhibited in U.S. shows and galleries and is in private collections worldwide. His latest works combine digital photography and painting.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I would be happy to have my artworks seen as a collision at the intersection of photography, painting and sculpture. It is at this interdisciplinary intersection that “reality” and “fiction” blurs, and new thoughts, emotions and conclusions can be drawn.
My process is to be playful and intuitive. As a career photojournalist, many of my paintings stem from past photographs digitally altered, painted on and sometimes rephotographed. I also often use texture to add a sculptural quality to the canvas. Mixing media allows me to suggest and subvert reality and raise questions about life, beauty, and preciousness.
I strive for paintings that are raw, energetic, and disruptive. Because I prioritize intellectual engagement over traditional esthetic concerns, I believe I am working in the realm of avant-garde and abstract surrealism.
My art is about dreams, illusions, possibilities, and what-ifs. My greatest reward comes when I create a work that shows me something … something that can’t be expressed in words.
EDUCATION
- Video Art & Multimedia, MA, University of Iowa, 1989
- Journalism & Mass Communication, MA, University of Iowa, 1984
- Journalism, Kansas State University, BS, 1968.
EXHIBITS
2023 | Thrasher-Horne Center, Orange Park, FL, Fall 3-Person Show |
2023 | Jones Gallery March Group Show, Kansas City, MO |
2023 | Northern Light Gallery, Artist of the Month Exhibition, Online |
2023 | Gallerium Art Gallery, Believe Exhibition and Publication, Online |
2023 | Northern Light Gallery Group Show, Online |
2023 | Gallerium Art Gallery, Exhibition and Publication, Online |
2001 | Rock Island Fine Arts Exhibition (honorable mention) |
2001 | United Neighbors, Davenport, IA (solo) |
1995 | Performing Arts Gallery, Davenport, IA (solo) |
1996 | Art From The Neighborhood, Quad City Arts, Rock Island, IL (group) |
1996 | Rock Island Fine Arts Exhibition, (group) |
1995 | Photo-Link Internet Website (solo) |
1994 | Quad-City Arts Council (2-person) |
1994 | Artefino Gallery, Charlotte, NC (group) |
1993 | NAACP Art Exhibition, Davenport, IA (group) |
1993 | University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City, IA (solo) |
1993 | Corps of Engineers, Arsenal Clock Tower, Rock Island, IL (group) |
1993 | CSPS Gallery, Cedar Rapids, IA (group) |
1993 | Essence of Diversity, King Center, Rock Island, IL (group) |
1992 | A. Allen Albert Gallery, Palm Desert, CA |
1990 | Percival Gallery, Des Moines, IA (group) |
1989 | Antique Auto Show Benefit (group), Beverly Hills, CA |
1989 | Mitchell Museum, Mount Vernon, Il (2-person) |
1988 | Quad City Arts Council, Rock Island, IL (3-person) |
1988 | Governor’s State University, University Park, IL (2-person) |
1987 | Highland Community College, Freeport, IL (solo) |
1987 | SPE Photography Conference, University of Iowa (group |
1978 | Davenport Art Museum, Davenport, IA (3-person) |
AWARDS
2001 | Artist Grant, Quad City Arts, Rock Island, IL |
2000 | Artist Grant, Quad City Arts, Rock Island, IL |
1997 | Artist Grant, Quad City Arts, Rock Island, IL |
1995 | United Way of the Quad Cities Photo Contest, 2nd Prize |
1992 | Artist Grant, Quad City Arts, Rock Island, IL |
1991 | Artist Grant, Quad City Arts, Rock Island, IL |
1986 | Quad City Showcase, Davenport Art Museum, 3rd place |
1986 | Artlink Contemporary Artspace, Fort Wayne, IN, award winner |
1986 | Gallery of the Old Post Office, Dayton, OH, award winner (2) |
1986 | Photo Metro Magazine, 4th Annual Contest, San Francisco (CA |
1985 | Rock Island fine Arts Exhibition, 2nd place |
1982 | Featured in Pictures For Organizations book by Phil Douglis |
1980 | Creativity Annual (Gloria Steinem portrait) |
1978 | Gold Quill, Photography Award, International Association of Business Communicators |
1976 | Honor Award, Photojournalism, Chicago Business Communicators |