Most of us see cardboard as something to recycle. John Gibbs sees possibility.
During the pandemic, surrounded by shipping boxes like everyone else, the Greensboro sculptor and painter began experimenting with cardboard. Not as packaging, but as sculpture. What started as curiosity became an entirely new body of work.
Trained in sculpture and scientific illustration, Gibbs embraced the familiar material for both its creative possibilities and what it represents. His work invites people to think differently about sustainability, consumption, and the impact our everyday choices have on the environment. An added benefit: these large-scale sculptures have a remarkably small carbon footprint.
“Though I think bronze sculpture has its place, my goal with this body of work is to draw attention to the environmental impact of our actions.”
Many of Gibbs’ sculptures feature endangered animals: polar bears, elephants, lions, blue whales, and bald eagles, often reminding viewers of the fragile relationship between people and
the natural world. But his imagination extends well beyond wildlife, with works that include horse heads, chess pieces, playing cards, ballerinas, and a panther.
His work is currently at The Art Gallery at Congdon Yards in High Point, as part of the “Out of the Box” exhibition, which is supported through funding from The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, High Point Arts Council, and the North Carolina Arts Council.
But getting the work into the gallery is only part of the story. Behind every ambitious creative practice is infrastructure people rarely see. Earlier this year, Gibbs received a 2026 Artist Support Grant through The ACGG, funded by the North Carolina Arts Council, to retrofit his trailer with custom shelving for transporting his large-scale sculptures safely. It may seem like a little thing, but it was big.
“The trailer will allow me to create larger works that I can then deliver,” he said.
“I’m very grateful to The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, Arts Council of Winston-Salem Forsyth, and the North Carolina Arts Council for making that possible.”
The trailer is more than a way to move sculptures. It’s an investment in a growing creative business. Through Artist Support Grants, The ACGG helps artists overcome practical barriers so they can reach new markets, pursue larger opportunities, and contribute to a stronger creative economy.
Gibbs is building more than sculptures. He’s building a creative business rooted in Greater Greensboro. Every thriving creative community depends on artists who are willing to imagine what’s possible — and on organizations willing to invest in that vision. Through Artist Support Grants, The ACGG helps transform creative potential into lasting opportunity, strengthening artists, enriching our community, and building a more vibrant future for Greater Greensboro.
To learn more about Gibbs’ work, visit JohnGibbsArt.com.
