The Fire Hot Talent of Harik Gustafson
by Darlene Mae O’Connor
Like paint on the bristles of a brush awaiting a master stroke or the ink in a pen that lingers until the poet scribes the longings of his heart; talent seems to flow through the veins of those gifted with vision that awaits the right moment and the perfect tool to create what others can only marvel at. This is a story of a young artist whose creative spirit transcends what it has been taught and whose works of art belie his youth. In some manners of his chosen craft, this student has become the master.
For some of us playing in the mud and pretending to be great sculptors of classical art or bakers of fine earth pies, are of our fondest memories of childhood. For people like my friend and neighbor, Harik Gustafson, that fondness grew to become an insatiable thirst for experimenting with the organic colors and raw consistencies of the earth and how he could manipulate them to reveal what he saw with his mind’s eye. Having been exposed to the Performing and Fine Arts early in his youth, Harik was able to try his hand with different mediums. He remembers being quite young and attending a few classes offered by a local artist and later through the Jamestown Community College Arts Programs. He recalls being fascinated early on by how the wet clay felt in his hands. It was miraculous how by exposing what he sculpted to intense heat it hardened into a permanent object. The idea that these pieces of art could actually serve a function made it even that much more exciting.
After graduating from Jamestown High School, Harik enrolled at Jamestown Community College as a full-time student. He graduated in 2019 earning an Associate’s Degree in Independent Studies. He is adept in photography, a skilled illustrator and while he likes to paint, he prefers applying and experimenting with various applications of glazes and glazing techniques to his clay and ceramic creations. Harik Gustafson has had quite a few of his pieces in Art Shows hosted by the College. His work is recognized throughout the community and he has sold pieces from his private collection, as well. At just 23 he has been commissioned for his work and he currently has pieces hopefully to be accepted at the college in the “WEEKS ART GALLERY” in the Sheldon Building, reception at 5-7pm on Friday, April 22nd. The exhibit will run from April 22nd until May 11th.
Harik is currently lining up various opportunities to publicly show his work. He currently audits classes at the college and is frequently found helping newer students. His knowledge of mineral, iron ore and other metallic compositions of various glazes has earned him props from instructors and he is considered to have a superior understanding of the kilning process to perfect the depth of color and gloss of his pieces. He has custom designs for imprinting his pieces and rarely do the scraps of clay go to waste in his space. He creates patterns and crystal-like geometric designs from what would otherwise be tossed into the dry bin and his frequent use of intricate lace to create “Vintage” and “Old World” designs are of his favorite trademarks.
While he already has his own wheel and most every sculpting tool an artist could wish for, Harik Gustafson’s dream of owning his own studio still waits for just the right stars to align. Owning a kiln is big money and requires considerable space, but no matter there is usually room in a kiln somewhere for a piece or two from this young artist to fire. In the meantime, if you would like to contact Harik, he may be reached via text @ 716-499-3323 (TEXT only, no calls) or via e-mail @ aizemral@gmail.com and we will keep you posted of his upcoming showings.