John Bjerklie

I took this portrait of John in his studio in Brooklyn. I represented to me the role John played in my life. Everytime I would meet with John, I would be left in a little awe of his creative confidence, the wisdom he had about art making and the playfulness in which he embraced it. John was always brimming with abundance, an everlasting wave of creativity and also an abundance of generosity and support for other artists, like myself. His capacity to invest in other's creative journeys was unparalleled. Like others, he gifted me with his time, and many opportunities to collaborate and engage with the Triangle community. In my mind, the spirit of Triangle and John were intertwined and he represented the full expression of Triangle's mission. I will always be grateful and consider myself so lucky to have been in his orbit.

Big Hat in action, next to the cabin he created in Brittany. He welcomed, especially Poogy, Alun and many artists to paint, relax or make a portrait in visio-conference in his Slow Healing Train. One evening John look at a beautiful sky and said: "Tieloplo, Tiepolo" inviting everybody who was here to enjoy the beauty of the present time under the look of the painting, like he did in a lot of different way. Thank you for your presence John. Claire

Miss you John ❤️ John Joseph Earl Bjerklie April 3, 1953 – March 9, 2024 Memorial Service: Saturday, May 4, 2024 1:00pm - 4:00pm St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Chelsea 346 W 20th St. New York, NY 10011 John was born in Los Angeles, California and lived there until he was 7 years old, when the Bjerklie family, which by then included his siblings David and Kirsten, moved to Broomfield Colorado, near Denver. In 1964 the family moved to Niskayuna, New York, near Schenectady, where his sister Ellen was born. John inherited a creative spirit through his maternal grandfather’s love of photography, filmmaking and nature, and his father’s love of music, discovery and flying. During high school John developed a lifelong passion for art, writing, and music which led him to Syracuse University where he studied art for two years. In the summers he studied and worked as studio manager at the Malden Bridge School of Art with artist Betty Warren. In 1972, the Bjerklie family moved to Cape Elizabeth, Maine. In 1975 John attended the University of Maine, studying art history and English literature, and later, the Portland School of Art, where he graduated with a BFA in painting in 1977. It was there he met Poogy Briggs whom he married in 1979 in her hometown of Hallowell, Maine. After graduating, John and Poogy moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he earned a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree at Washington University. During this period John developed his signature style of integrating sculptural elements with his paintings as well as a career-long enthusiasm for collaboration. John and Poogy moved to New York City in 1988 where he taught as an adjunct professor at Kings College, Trenton State College, Rutgers University, and Marymount Manhattan College. All the while he continued to exhibit his own work and develop deep ties within the arts community, particularly as a long-time board member of the Triangle Artists Association. John also found a permanent working home as a scenic journeyman painter when he joined the Scenic Artists Union local 829 in 2005. John worked on a long list of TV shows and movies, including the Sopranos, Orange is the New Black, Ugly Betty, FBI and, particularly, Saturday Night Live where he worked every season from 2005 until 2022. During his career John's artwork, from drawings and painting to sculpture and performance art, was showcased in 23 Solo exhibitions and included in 26 group exhibitions. He was awarded 13 residencies and fellowships across the U.S., France, and Spain, and in 1998 was honored with the Doyusha Prize at the Tenri Biennale in Japan. John’s artwork strove to contextualize the act of making paintings and sculpture. Early examples were seen at Parker’s Box Gallery in Brooklyn and Pulse Art Fair, where John embraced multiple identities such as painter, sculptor, political commentator, TV interviewer, debater, trickster, dancer, negotiator, voyeur, performer, poet and auctioneer portrayed through the character known as Big Hat. Other personas he adopted were Hothead/Coolhead and OkeyDokey Man. Constructing inventive, ad hoc stages, some large and elaborate, John created and interacted with sculpture and painting, using surveillance cameras, television monitors and other audio-visual equipment to play with the ambiguities of time and space, fiction and reality, live and recorded footage. For nearly a decade he developed a project called Slow Healing Train, which began as a four-month encampment in Red Hook, Brooklyn and then moved to Minoterie21 in Peillac, France, where he was Artist in Residence. One of his most beloved projects, in which Big Hat vowed to paint a portrait of everyone on Earth, was the subject of a lengthy profile in the Wall Street Journal. Using FaceTime during the Covid lockdown, he painted hundreds of portraits with fellow artists, friends and family who reciprocated by creating portraits of Big Hat. John left a legacy of personal and professional generosity, creative exploration, hard work, love and kindness. He was devoted to his wife, his family, his extended family, and his large community of fellow artists and scenics with whom he worked. That love was returned throughout his life and career. John was always there to encourage and promote the work of others, especially championing and nurturing young people to engage in art. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 44 years, Poogy Bjerklie, his mother Marjorie C. (Maninger) Bjerklie, his brother David M. Bjerklie, and his sisters Kirsten A. Bjerklie (Fitzgerald) and Ellen L. Bjerklie Hanna, his nephews Conor and Brian Fitzgerald, his nephew and Godchild Isaac Bjerklie, his niece Danielle (Hanna) McMahon, his Godchild Audra Gooch, Poogy’s brothers Johnny, Tommy, Bobby, and her sister Elizabeth. He is predeceased by his father, John W. Bjerklie, and his nephew Weber John Bjerklie.

We hope you can join us to celebrate John's Life on May 4, 2024 at 1pm St. Peter's Chelsea 346 W. 20th Street New York, NY 10011

One memory of John includes Sense of Place, the exhibition he put together in 2011 at Hartwick College in Oneonta with old friend Terry Slade, a faculty member there. They featured artists from 35 Claver Place in Brooklyn, where John and Poogy lived many years. Here is an email from 2010 about artists he was considering for the show, which shares his voice and scope of thought. : "Hi Terry, I'm happy you see the possibility in this "second thought" scenario too. I think it can be a very strong statement, especially after talking it over with the painters and seeing some of the work they have to contribute. The way I am seeing it now is that Elisabeth, Peter and Poogy's paintings can hold the walls and it will be a great counterpoint for the sculpture. I will be talking more with the two other sculptors living in the building (Bachman and Mellin) this week. Bachman's work is smaller in scale and some of them are wall pieces. I need to see what he has been up to lately, so I will report again after I meet with him. As far as Joel's work goes, it is quite a hybrid of things. He is, strictly speaking, a musician, but he is making these sound machines that, in my mind are sculpture. I am feeling that it may yet be good to look at former 35 resident Blackwell's sculpture for this as well, as his work is undeniably sculpture but at the same time will serve to firmly bridge the gap with the painting."

LoveYouJohn Blackwell & Bjerklie's World Tour (01/2010) Art Lot, Brooklyn: "BigSendOff"

titled SONG OF SOLOMON...."I AM AS BLACK AS THE TENTS OF KEDAR"... DESIGNED BY JOHN & POOGY... 6/81. This was from the competition to design a new door for the entrance to Grace & Peace Fellowship at the old storefront on Kingsbury. It has been on the wall above my computer monitor for many years, so I remember John every day. Grace and Peace to you, Poogy, and to all his family and friends. Lamont Wade

I first met John in 2001-ish when he'd been hired by the American Bible Society as a curator to build an art collection for their building near Lincoln Center (at the time), and someone gave him my name as an artist to possibly include. We immediately became fast friends, and I was so grateful to meet someone like him in the art scene of NYC, as I had only recently arrived there to pursue my career. John had a rare and special mix of gentleness, humor, wisdom, humility, talent, and intelligence that was a breath of fresh air, as it was in contrast to my anxiety about “success” as an artist. John was unfazed by the pressures of a career in art, and conducted himself with a grace I wish I possessed, and joy in living life and making work that blessed everyone that knew him. We eventually attended the same church, and the quiet faith that supported him was profound in its purity, and how he celebrated the good in others, and in culture. His Hothead/Coolhead sculptural pieces rank among my favorite installation art of any kind, and his ‘Big Hat’ multi-year project in particular has been a fabulous journey to witness (albeit afar, as I live in California now), in part because it perfectly embodies his character. The photo is from late 2022 when I was in NYC for work, and an old friend hosted a brunch that John was able to attend. He showed up with a gift for me of a sketchbook filled with Hothead/Coolhead drawings that I absolutely love and will forever treasure. He was already struggling with cancer at the time, and I felt so lucky that I got to see him. I love you John, so much, and will miss you greatly. Godspeed my friend...

John loved his time at SNL.

Dear family and friends of Poogy and John, Here is a holiday card created by Poogy and John in the 1980s. We were privileged to attend the same church as the Bjerklies for many years. Eric & Sharon Stedfeld

The most creative, curious, supportive, loveable spirit and also the brightest light in any room. I first met John during the filming of a music video for which he was creating a set for. Soon after, he joined us in the world of Balinese dance and learned with an enthusiasm and energy that outshone many. We love him. Shine on brother.

One of Poogy’s favorite photos of John…He ran a good race to the end.

Breakfast and drawing with John at espresso at Espresso 77. John had so many wonderful rituals and routines. He made every visit into an enriching and inspiring experience.

We were going through papers today…Some things never change…this is the kindergarten teachers comment on his report card in 1957. ❤️

A story of John: I had the honor of meeting and working with John as a scenic artist many years ago. For me, John was a beam of light in the film industry. He was a true dedicated artist and craftsman and enjoying life was the most important part. I will never forget the time I became aware of Big Hat. For many weeks, while working with John on a tv show he frequently spoke about his artist friend and assistant Big Hat. I had never heard of Big Hat but John constantly talked about him. One day John said “I dont know, Sean. I think I’m going to have to fire Big Hat again. “ “Again?” I replied. “Yeah” he said. “I’ve fired him so many times but he just keeps coming back and every time I take him back until he quits again.” What a strange thing I thought. Then one day John comes up to me with his phone and says “hey , check out this video of my assistant Big Hat in my studio!” As I glance at the video I see a lanky man covered in paint with a massive hat throwing things around and spattering paint on them furiously making a huge mess. After a moment of confusion I realized what I was looking at. I looked at John and said “wait, that’s you! “ he looked back at me with the most sincere smile and said “NO! That’s Big Hat!” I couldn’t stop laughing and from then on whenever I saw John I would ask about Big Hat. I didn’t know John as well as some. But he left an impression on me that I will never forget. When I think of John or Big Hat I smile. I am deeply saddened by his passing and I would like to extend my condolences to his wife and family. It was truly an honor to call him a friend. The photo above was taken in 2020 during the pandemic. I arranged to have Big Hat paint my portrait and me paint his on FaceTime. It meant a lot to me that he took the time and care to check in on me. Many bows to John. Long live Big Hat! ❤️❤️❤️

John painting a portrait of our mother. November 30, 2019

John in his studio almost a year ago…March 18, 2023. He had a positive effect on every single person he met. His unending love for life was infectious. I am so incredibly lucky to have him for my brother. ❤️

I met John through my friendship with Poogy. When Johnny asked to talk to me about his cancer diagnosis (because I had had one myself) he expressed his feeling of urgency to make and preserve his art. I volunteered to set up a gofundme so he could have funds to use for this purpose. Then I met BigHat. I didn't expect BigHat's enthusiasm, generosity, energy, gratitude, and all around prolific output and how that would enter and impact my life with a tidal wave of communication and creativity. John as a person and BigHat as an artist, showed me profound ways to live life to its fullest with grace and gratitude and contributing to a beautiful community of artists, family and friends. I will miss him greatly but take some comfort in the art that will live on in his name.

John aka BigHat in Minoterie France

Poogy provided this photo

Poogy provided this photo of John

John was a best friend to so many people.

Dear Poggy and all of John's family, My entire family joins me in sending you our most sincere condolences and all our thoughts on the departure of our great friend. An immense sadness at his disappearance, very difficult to accept, John was an extraordinary person and artist and his memory will remain in our hearts forever. I had the chance to be his friend for 30 years, such a generous person and with such a big heart is very rare, his energy and creativity were extraordinary, he will always be in my heart like a light, Our thoughts and warmth to you Poogy, and to the whole family, we kiss you