Wall Totems

John Geldersma works primarily in wood and has produced a wide array of pieces in archetypal forms, from his hanging Shamans to mandala-like totemic sculpture termed Spirit Poles. These are inspired by primitive fetishes, various trans-historic ritualistic geometric designs, and the vibrant cultural milieu of his native southwestern Louisiana. The artist has cited his early immersion in the intersection of such divergent cultures as French, Spanish, African American, Caribbean, Anglo-Saxon, and Native American as a major influence on his art.