John James Pron
withDRAW: looking backward to understand moving forward
This series of artworks represents my own immigration story: in the early 1900’s, both my Russian Orthodox and Ukrainian Catholic families fled poverty, starvation, an oppressive government and imminent global warfare, then settled into Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties community- a neighborhood far different then than it is today. Backed up with my own historical research, as an artist, I utilized the technique of collage, a device that allowed me to juxtapose original archival photos of the people, places and activities of that era with my highly interpretive ink and graphite drawings. It gave me the creative license to visually reimagine these long ago experiences before they are completely forgotten- a time when these two peoples- Russians and Ukrainians- worked alongside each other, long before the current war has pulled them apart.
In this show, I looked back and came away stunned- in awe of how my two families met their challenges and it caused me to realize how it has positively impacted me and my life today. Furthermore, it gave me the empathy to appreciate how important it is today for many other ethnic and cultural groups to uncover and celebrate their own histories. I want to know more about your stories, but please do look at and listen at mine. The world will be much better place if empathy can be a 2-way street….and discovering commonalities is a first step.
John James Pron Resume
John James Pron's recent solo exhibition, withDRAW: looking backward to understand moving forward, was on view October 16 - November 10, 2024. A selection of his works is currently available at the gallery as indicated below. For inquiries on all other works shown, please Contact Us.
withDRAW Exhibition Video
Virtual Tour & Talk, October 20, 2024
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Penn (re) Treat(y) Park, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17"
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Dam(n) the Cohocksink Creek, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17"
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Madonna and Child, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17" Available
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Escape, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17"
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Alley Rats, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17" SOLD
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Omniprseent Church Life, ink and grahite collage, 17" x 17" Available
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Scrounging for Heat, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17" SOLD
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Market Day, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17" Available
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Stoop Sitting, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17"
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First Birthday Party, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17"
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Grandfathers, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17"
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147 West Laurel Street, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17"
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Architect, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17" Available
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Nerd, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17" SOLD
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Roman Candles, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17"
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No Mo' Libs, ink and graphite collage, 17" x 17" SOLD
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Amerika Icon, ink and graphite with gold leaf collage, 10" x 10" SOLD
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Maternal Grandpa Icon, ink and graphite with gold leaf collage, 10" x 10"
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Maternal Grandma Icon, ink and graphite with gold leaf collage, 10" x 10"
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Ukrainian Uncle Icon, ink and graphite with gold leaf collage, 10" x 10"
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Ukrainian Aunt Icon, ink and graphite with gold leaf collage, 10" x 10"
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Bride and Flower Girl Sisters Icon, ink and graphite with gold leaf collage, 10" x 10" SOLD
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Paternal Grandpa Icon, ink and graphite with gold leaf collage, 10" x 10"
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Paternal Grandma Icon, ink and graphite with gold leaf collage, 10" x 10"
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Pop Fighting Nazis Icon, ink and graphite with gold leaf collage, 10" x 10" SOLD
John James Pron's previous solo exhibition was held July 5 - 30, 2023. A selection of his works is currently available at the gallery as indicated below. For inquiries on all other works shown, please Contact Us.
Cerulean Arts Collective Virtual Tour & Talk - July 19, 2023
John James Pron Exhibition Powerpoint Presentation
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Society Hill at High High Tide, collage, 20.5" x 20.5" Available
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Phorbidden City #6: Penn Center, mixed media collage, 21" x 21" Available
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The Unseen Wall of Economic Inequality, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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Paradise Restored, collage, 20.5" x 20.5" SOLD
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Sanctuary City, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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Up Up into the Wild Green Yonder, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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Their Body? No, MY Body!, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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The Sudden Eruption of Mt. Covid, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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A Solar and Wind-Farm Windfall, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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Neighborhood Gun-venience Store, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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The Walmart of Opioids, collage, 20.5" x 20.5" SOLD
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The Golden Age of Filly, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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Statue of Limitations, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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We, the People say ..., collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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Once a Sculler, Now a Surfer, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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... and Now, Asbestos and Guns, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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Life Over Death, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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Block Party Interruptus, collage, 20.5" x 20.5" SOLD
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City Hall Wheelie and Donut Sweepstakes, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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Crack, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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Reclaiming Shackamaxon, collage, 20.5" x 20.5"
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PHILApocalypse #12: Reading Headhouse, mixed media collage, 21" x 21"
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Philadelphia Interior Life Series #3: Penn's Original Landing, mixed media collage, 21" x 21"
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Philadelphia Interior Life Series #2: Christina's (Dream) World, mixed media collage, 21" x 21" SOLD
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Baghdad Christmas #2, mixed media collage, 21" x 21"
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John James Pron, Thou Shall Not Sexually Abuse, mixed media collage, 21" x 21"