JOHN LITTLE
11 Scotts Point Road, East Dover
Nova Scotia, Canada B3Z 3V9
Born Newark, New Jersey, USA 1943
Canadian citizen since 1978
EDUCATION
1968 M.A. program, Dalhousie University, Halifax
1966 B.A. Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
WORK EXPERIENCE
1972 - full-time blacksmith/sculptor in Nova Scotia, self-taught
SELECTED PERFORMANCES (percussive iron sculptures)
2013 September "Burnwater" HearHere Productions (Erin Donovan), site specific performance, East Dover Nova Scotia, Sound Sculptures by John Little
2007 “Mouvement Tectonic”: 6 week exhibition opens with percussionist Pierre Tanguay playing Tectonic Shift and Little Orakulus of Venus I, La Chapelle historique du Bon Pasteur, maison de la musique, Montreal
2005 "IronSky Ensemble" at St. George's Church, Halifax featuring Tectonic Shift
2005 Opening Ceremonies Performance, CanIRON V International Blacksmithing Conference, featuring Tectonic Shift with musicians Jerry Granelli and Jeff Reilly
2003 National Arts Council Atlantic Scene, presentation at the Great Hall, The National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa: “IronSky” with Jerry Granelli and Jeff Reilly featuring Volcanus Eruptus, Man O’ War and Rack of Gongs
2002 “IronSky” musical performances by Jerry Granelli, percussion, and Jeff Reilly,
bass clarinet, featuring Volcanus Eruptus and Sagromides of Venus at Festival
International Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville, Quebec.
2002 Peter Wiegold, London, England, composes and guest conducts Symphony Nova Scotia in “Bitter Iron”, featuring Volcanus Eruptus and other sound sculptures by John Little Halifax, “Out of the Forge” Festival of New Music and Atlantic New Dance Festival
2001 "Iron Sky" CD used for National Film Board Genie Award winning film “Westray”
2001 John Little’s sound sculptures used in “Jerry Granelli In the Moment” Colin MacKenzie
2000 Sagromides of Venus invited to The Sound Symposium, St. John’s, NL.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Group
2012 "Going with the Wind: Whirligigs by Atlantic Canadian Artists" Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Fredericton, New Brunswick "Windspiel", a mobile
2008 “The Art of Collecting”, Mary E. Black Gallery, Halifax
2006-2007 “UNIQUE! 30 Years of Outstanding Crafts”, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau, Quebec
2005 "Take Another Heat", Mary E. Black Gallery, Halifax
2005 "Take Another Heat", ArtsPlace, Annapolis Royal, NS, part of the CanIRON V International Blacksmithing Conference
2004 “Bho’n Teallach” Maritime Blacksmith Association exhibition, Dartmouth, NS
2002 “The Art of Worship”, Mary E. Black Gallery, Halifax
2001 “Ancient Futures, The Art of the Blacksmith at the 3rd Millennium”, Mary E. Black Gallery, Halifax
1999 “Far and Wide”, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax & touring regionally
1998 “Poetry of the Vessel”, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax
1995 “North of the Border”, Wiregrass Museum of Art, Dothan, Alabama, USA
1995 Summit Collection, Summit Place, G-7 Conference, Halifax
1990 “The Medium is Metal: The Theme is Water”, Canadian Metal Arts Guild, Halifax and touring in Canada
1987 Internationale Ausstellung “Zetigemasse Kunstschmiedearbeiten und Skulpturen”
Friedrichshafen, Germany
1984 “Works of Craft”, Museum of Man, Ottawa, Ontario (Canada touring)
1984 “Ars Sacra ‘84”, Technical University of Nova Scotia, Halifax
1982 “Atlantic Visions d’Atlantique” (touring 1982-1986)
1978 “Artisan ’78” Canadian Crafts Council (Canada touring)
1977 “Iron Solid/Wrought USA”, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. USA
1977 “Iron Solid/Wrought USA”, Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York, NY, USA
1976 “Iron Solid/Wrought USA”, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
1974-90Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council juried exhibitions including “Profile ‘81”, “Avatar ‘85” and “Patterns” 1989-90, Halifax and touring
Solo
2007 “Mouvement Tectonique”, forged ironwork and musical sculptures, La Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur, maison de la musique, Montreal (installation and performance) April 12-May 17
1986 “John Little Forge Work”, Anna Leonowens Gallery, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax
1985 “Ironworks, John Little”, Lunenburg Art Gallery, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
1980 “Ironwork”, Fireworks Gallery, Halifax
SELECTED PUBLIC COLLECTIONS and COMMISSIONS
2012 Prospect Road Community Centre donor recognition sculpture, Imagine That
2009 Tectonic Shift purchased for Art Gallery of Nova Scotia permanent collection
2008 The Mary E. Black Gallery Halifax, Sonic Gizmo, an interactive sound sculpture
2007 Ross Creek Centre of the Arts, Nova Scotia, Little Orakulus of Venus II
2002 and 1989 Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax: 3 candle stands
1996 Fuji Pavilion, Botanical Gardens, Montreal, Quebec: 11 decorative sculptures
1984-85 Extensive re-creation ironwork forged for Fortress Louisburg, Cape Breton, NS
1990 J. Chalmers Collection, Toronto fire tools
1984, 1978 Massey Collection, Canadian Museum of Civilization: tools and knife
1982 and1974 Art Bank of Nova Scotia: Room Divider in Three Panels
1978 Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council Permanent Collection: Andirons
SELECTED PRIVATE COLLECTORS
Ian Wanless
John Leon
Ann Birks, Montreal and Nova Scotia
Erin Donovon
Deborah Simmons
Craig Foundation, Nova Scotia
Derek and Jackie Oland, New Brunswick
The late Barbara Newman, Nova Scotia
Sobey Family, Nova Scotia
Hart Massey, Ontario
Tony Saulnier, Nova Scotia
GRANTS and AWARDS
2014 Nominated for Portia White Prize by Erin Donovan (HearHere Productions)
2012 Nova Scotia Arts and Culture grant to produce large sound sculpture or sculptures
2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 finalist for Portia White Prize, Nova Scotia Most Prestigious Cultural Award
2008 finalist for Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award (Tectonic Shift)
2007 finalist for Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award (Tectonic Shift)
2007 presentation grant from Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage to present Tectonic Shift and other works at LaChapelle historique du bon-pasteur in Montreal
2003 Nova Scotia Arts and Culture grant to produce large stainless steel musical sculpture Tectonic Shift
2000 Best Piece Alternate Material and Best Piece Sculpture: Metal Arts Guild of Nova Scotia Exhibition and Competition, Halifax
1998 Nova Scotia Arts Council Grant: to produce musical/percussive iron sculptures
1987 Canadian Council Visiting Artist Program: to visit blacksmith shops in Germany
1981 "Profile '81” Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council Exhibition: Jurors' Choice Award
1978 Canada Council Explorations Grant
MISCELLANY
2012, '11, '10, ’09, ‘08 Guest Instructor, Haliburton School of the Arts, Fleming College, Ontario
2009 demonstrator of blacksmithing and design at CanIRON VII at Ness Creek, Saskathchewan
2009 demonstrator of blacksmithing and design, GLIIF (Great Lakes International Iron Fest), Buffalo, NY
2005 demonstrator of blacksmithing and design for CanIRON V (international blacksmithing conference), Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada
2004 juror for “Iron in the Wind”, exhibition by Saskatchewan chapter of the Western Canadian Blacksmiths’ Guild
2004 demonstrator of blacksmithing and design at New England Blacksmiths Meeting, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
2003 juror for Saskatchewan Craft exhibition, "Dimensions"
2001 demonstrator of blacksmithing and design at CanIRON III (international blacksmithing conference), North Battleford, Saskatchewan
1992 consultant to Dinosaur Restoration Project, American Museum of Natural History, NY, USA
SELECT MEDIA
Radio
CBC: 2009, 2008 April and July, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1992, 1991, 1980, 1976 including Morningside with Peter Gzowski, Basic Black, Richardson’s Round-up, the Arts Report, Sounds Like Canada (featured Tectonic Shift April 15, 2008), and Information Morning
Television
2010 ATV Evening News “Blacksmith Story” March 1
2008 CTV National (John Little ‘Sound Sculptures’ featuring Tectonic Shift)
2003 CBC Artspots (six “spots”) www.cbc.ca/artspots/html/artists/jlittle&jgranelli
1996 CBC On the Road Again
Print/Canadian
2012 "Conversations with a Space" by Sally Erskine Doucette Studio (magazine)
2011 “A Burning Passion to be Creative” Bill Spurr, Peter Parsons The Chronicle Herald
2005 "From the Forge Comes Magic" by Anna Horsnell Wade, Nova Scotia Craft News
2005 Stephen Pedersen, The Chronicle Herald: "Steeling the show", "One big Tectonic Shift", "IronSky Astonishes Imagination”, “Unique Sculpture Inspires Musicians", “Wiegold pleasantly pounds out Bitter Iron at the Out of the Forge Fest”
2000 “Organic Tension” Canadian Architect re Fuji Pavilion, Montreal, Quebec
1999 Studio Rally Art and Craft of Nova Scotia by Robin Metcalfe, p. 86-87
1995 “Voices of Iron and Steel” by Stephen Pedersen, The Mail Star
1985 “John Little: IRON Hand Forged”, by Charmaine Gaudet, Arts Atlantic 23, p. 36-7
1981 The Craftman’s Way, Hart Massey/John Flanders p.177-180
Print/ International
2009 From Fire to Form by Mathew Clark pp 98,199,247
2008 Ironwork Today 2 Inside and Out by Jeffrey B Snyder pp 97-98,172-173,211
2006 Ironwork Today Inside and Out by Dona Z. Meilach: front cover, p. 8, 12, 14,128,137,140,157,201, 242
2005 Around and About: "John Little Workshop" The Anvil’s Ring vol 33, no. 3
Gallery: “Iron in the Wind” Exhibition, Saskatchewan, The Anvil’s Ring vol 33 no. 3
2004 Exhibition Maritime Blacksmiths Association: “Bho’n Teallach - From the Forge”
The Anvil’s Ring vol 33, no. 1
1992 “Smith” in “The Talk of the Town” by Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker
1987 “Moderne Kunstschmiedearbeiten und Skulpturen” review, Metallhandwerk + Technik
1977 “200 Years of the Smithy’s Art”, New York Times
11 Scotts Point Road, East Dover
Nova Scotia, Canada B3Z 3V9
Born Newark, New Jersey, USA 1943
Canadian citizen since 1978
EDUCATION
1968 M.A. program, Dalhousie University, Halifax
1966 B.A. Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
WORK EXPERIENCE
1972 - full-time blacksmith/sculptor in Nova Scotia, self-taught
SELECTED PERFORMANCES (percussive iron sculptures)
2013 September "Burnwater" HearHere Productions (Erin Donovan), site specific performance, East Dover Nova Scotia, Sound Sculptures by John Little
2007 “Mouvement Tectonic”: 6 week exhibition opens with percussionist Pierre Tanguay playing Tectonic Shift and Little Orakulus of Venus I, La Chapelle historique du Bon Pasteur, maison de la musique, Montreal
2005 "IronSky Ensemble" at St. George's Church, Halifax featuring Tectonic Shift
2005 Opening Ceremonies Performance, CanIRON V International Blacksmithing Conference, featuring Tectonic Shift with musicians Jerry Granelli and Jeff Reilly
2003 National Arts Council Atlantic Scene, presentation at the Great Hall, The National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa: “IronSky” with Jerry Granelli and Jeff Reilly featuring Volcanus Eruptus, Man O’ War and Rack of Gongs
2002 “IronSky” musical performances by Jerry Granelli, percussion, and Jeff Reilly,
bass clarinet, featuring Volcanus Eruptus and Sagromides of Venus at Festival
International Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville, Quebec.
2002 Peter Wiegold, London, England, composes and guest conducts Symphony Nova Scotia in “Bitter Iron”, featuring Volcanus Eruptus and other sound sculptures by John Little Halifax, “Out of the Forge” Festival of New Music and Atlantic New Dance Festival
2001 "Iron Sky" CD used for National Film Board Genie Award winning film “Westray”
2001 John Little’s sound sculptures used in “Jerry Granelli In the Moment” Colin MacKenzie
2000 Sagromides of Venus invited to The Sound Symposium, St. John’s, NL.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Group
2012 "Going with the Wind: Whirligigs by Atlantic Canadian Artists" Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Fredericton, New Brunswick "Windspiel", a mobile
2008 “The Art of Collecting”, Mary E. Black Gallery, Halifax
2006-2007 “UNIQUE! 30 Years of Outstanding Crafts”, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau, Quebec
2005 "Take Another Heat", Mary E. Black Gallery, Halifax
2005 "Take Another Heat", ArtsPlace, Annapolis Royal, NS, part of the CanIRON V International Blacksmithing Conference
2004 “Bho’n Teallach” Maritime Blacksmith Association exhibition, Dartmouth, NS
2002 “The Art of Worship”, Mary E. Black Gallery, Halifax
2001 “Ancient Futures, The Art of the Blacksmith at the 3rd Millennium”, Mary E. Black Gallery, Halifax
1999 “Far and Wide”, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax & touring regionally
1998 “Poetry of the Vessel”, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax
1995 “North of the Border”, Wiregrass Museum of Art, Dothan, Alabama, USA
1995 Summit Collection, Summit Place, G-7 Conference, Halifax
1990 “The Medium is Metal: The Theme is Water”, Canadian Metal Arts Guild, Halifax and touring in Canada
1987 Internationale Ausstellung “Zetigemasse Kunstschmiedearbeiten und Skulpturen”
Friedrichshafen, Germany
1984 “Works of Craft”, Museum of Man, Ottawa, Ontario (Canada touring)
1984 “Ars Sacra ‘84”, Technical University of Nova Scotia, Halifax
1982 “Atlantic Visions d’Atlantique” (touring 1982-1986)
1978 “Artisan ’78” Canadian Crafts Council (Canada touring)
1977 “Iron Solid/Wrought USA”, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. USA
1977 “Iron Solid/Wrought USA”, Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York, NY, USA
1976 “Iron Solid/Wrought USA”, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
1974-90Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council juried exhibitions including “Profile ‘81”, “Avatar ‘85” and “Patterns” 1989-90, Halifax and touring
Solo
2007 “Mouvement Tectonique”, forged ironwork and musical sculptures, La Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur, maison de la musique, Montreal (installation and performance) April 12-May 17
1986 “John Little Forge Work”, Anna Leonowens Gallery, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax
1985 “Ironworks, John Little”, Lunenburg Art Gallery, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
1980 “Ironwork”, Fireworks Gallery, Halifax
SELECTED PUBLIC COLLECTIONS and COMMISSIONS
2012 Prospect Road Community Centre donor recognition sculpture, Imagine That
2009 Tectonic Shift purchased for Art Gallery of Nova Scotia permanent collection
2008 The Mary E. Black Gallery Halifax, Sonic Gizmo, an interactive sound sculpture
2007 Ross Creek Centre of the Arts, Nova Scotia, Little Orakulus of Venus II
2002 and 1989 Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax: 3 candle stands
1996 Fuji Pavilion, Botanical Gardens, Montreal, Quebec: 11 decorative sculptures
1984-85 Extensive re-creation ironwork forged for Fortress Louisburg, Cape Breton, NS
1990 J. Chalmers Collection, Toronto fire tools
1984, 1978 Massey Collection, Canadian Museum of Civilization: tools and knife
1982 and1974 Art Bank of Nova Scotia: Room Divider in Three Panels
1978 Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council Permanent Collection: Andirons
SELECTED PRIVATE COLLECTORS
Ian Wanless
John Leon
Ann Birks, Montreal and Nova Scotia
Erin Donovon
Deborah Simmons
Craig Foundation, Nova Scotia
Derek and Jackie Oland, New Brunswick
The late Barbara Newman, Nova Scotia
Sobey Family, Nova Scotia
Hart Massey, Ontario
Tony Saulnier, Nova Scotia
GRANTS and AWARDS
2014 Nominated for Portia White Prize by Erin Donovan (HearHere Productions)
2012 Nova Scotia Arts and Culture grant to produce large sound sculpture or sculptures
2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 finalist for Portia White Prize, Nova Scotia Most Prestigious Cultural Award
2008 finalist for Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award (Tectonic Shift)
2007 finalist for Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award (Tectonic Shift)
2007 presentation grant from Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage to present Tectonic Shift and other works at LaChapelle historique du bon-pasteur in Montreal
2003 Nova Scotia Arts and Culture grant to produce large stainless steel musical sculpture Tectonic Shift
2000 Best Piece Alternate Material and Best Piece Sculpture: Metal Arts Guild of Nova Scotia Exhibition and Competition, Halifax
1998 Nova Scotia Arts Council Grant: to produce musical/percussive iron sculptures
1987 Canadian Council Visiting Artist Program: to visit blacksmith shops in Germany
1981 "Profile '81” Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council Exhibition: Jurors' Choice Award
1978 Canada Council Explorations Grant
MISCELLANY
2012, '11, '10, ’09, ‘08 Guest Instructor, Haliburton School of the Arts, Fleming College, Ontario
2009 demonstrator of blacksmithing and design at CanIRON VII at Ness Creek, Saskathchewan
2009 demonstrator of blacksmithing and design, GLIIF (Great Lakes International Iron Fest), Buffalo, NY
2005 demonstrator of blacksmithing and design for CanIRON V (international blacksmithing conference), Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada
2004 juror for “Iron in the Wind”, exhibition by Saskatchewan chapter of the Western Canadian Blacksmiths’ Guild
2004 demonstrator of blacksmithing and design at New England Blacksmiths Meeting, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
2003 juror for Saskatchewan Craft exhibition, "Dimensions"
2001 demonstrator of blacksmithing and design at CanIRON III (international blacksmithing conference), North Battleford, Saskatchewan
1992 consultant to Dinosaur Restoration Project, American Museum of Natural History, NY, USA
SELECT MEDIA
Radio
CBC: 2009, 2008 April and July, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1992, 1991, 1980, 1976 including Morningside with Peter Gzowski, Basic Black, Richardson’s Round-up, the Arts Report, Sounds Like Canada (featured Tectonic Shift April 15, 2008), and Information Morning
Television
2010 ATV Evening News “Blacksmith Story” March 1
2008 CTV National (John Little ‘Sound Sculptures’ featuring Tectonic Shift)
2003 CBC Artspots (six “spots”) www.cbc.ca/artspots/html/artists/jlittle&jgranelli
1996 CBC On the Road Again
Print/Canadian
2012 "Conversations with a Space" by Sally Erskine Doucette Studio (magazine)
2011 “A Burning Passion to be Creative” Bill Spurr, Peter Parsons The Chronicle Herald
2005 "From the Forge Comes Magic" by Anna Horsnell Wade, Nova Scotia Craft News
2005 Stephen Pedersen, The Chronicle Herald: "Steeling the show", "One big Tectonic Shift", "IronSky Astonishes Imagination”, “Unique Sculpture Inspires Musicians", “Wiegold pleasantly pounds out Bitter Iron at the Out of the Forge Fest”
2000 “Organic Tension” Canadian Architect re Fuji Pavilion, Montreal, Quebec
1999 Studio Rally Art and Craft of Nova Scotia by Robin Metcalfe, p. 86-87
1995 “Voices of Iron and Steel” by Stephen Pedersen, The Mail Star
1985 “John Little: IRON Hand Forged”, by Charmaine Gaudet, Arts Atlantic 23, p. 36-7
1981 The Craftman’s Way, Hart Massey/John Flanders p.177-180
Print/ International
2009 From Fire to Form by Mathew Clark pp 98,199,247
2008 Ironwork Today 2 Inside and Out by Jeffrey B Snyder pp 97-98,172-173,211
2006 Ironwork Today Inside and Out by Dona Z. Meilach: front cover, p. 8, 12, 14,128,137,140,157,201, 242
2005 Around and About: "John Little Workshop" The Anvil’s Ring vol 33, no. 3
Gallery: “Iron in the Wind” Exhibition, Saskatchewan, The Anvil’s Ring vol 33 no. 3
2004 Exhibition Maritime Blacksmiths Association: “Bho’n Teallach - From the Forge”
The Anvil’s Ring vol 33, no. 1
1992 “Smith” in “The Talk of the Town” by Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker
1987 “Moderne Kunstschmiedearbeiten und Skulpturen” review, Metallhandwerk + Technik
1977 “200 Years of the Smithy’s Art”, New York Times
