high5 glass: susan taylor glasgow sews glass

Susan Lomuto | Jul 23, 2009 | Comments 3

“My mother was a complicated woman.” This is the opening sentence of Susan Taylor Glasgow’s artist statement. I was immediately intrigued. Taylor Glasgow is the only artist I know of who sews glass. She shapes and fuses sheets of glass the way a seamstress cuts fabric to make a garment. Then she applies imagery to the glass components – text and pictures that reflect a 1950’s sensibility – before sewing the panels together with waxed linen thread or nylon ribbon.

Setting Free the Bluebird of Happiness
glass, fused, draped, enameled, sandblasted, sewn, waxed linen, nylon ribbon
13″ x 12″ x 10″

But wait, I want to hear more about her mother.

“Raising we girls by the Book of Conflicting Messages, my Mother lovingly shaped me into an ask questions later act like a lady you can do anything but learn to type first boys only want one thing but don’t say what it is do it right or don’t do it at all fall in love but have something to fall back on artist. Oh, and learn to cook and sew. Men like that.”

I like this woman. Is she describing my mother or yours? Let’s keep reading:

“Somehow, as a result, I embraced domesticity in feminine spirit but not in action. And, of course, feel guilty about not being a good wife. Misguided domestic talents eventually grew into concepts of sewing an unyielding medium, baking inedible creations, and stitching glass clothing no one can wear.

Housekeeping is last while instead I cook, arrange, and sew glass.”

Oh, now I understand per.fect.ly. She is describing me, minus the glass part. But the part about housekeeping being last while she works in the studio? Yeah, that sounds a lot like me. You too?

Glamour Legs Model #121757 Set
glass, metal, enamel, 18″ X 6″ X 6″

At one time in her life the award winning artist was a dressmaker. Today she has a patent pending for the technique she developed that allows her to stabilize the holes in the glass which are later threaded with waxed linen thread: Thread used to stitch together multiple glass elements that come to life as teapots, aprons and corset sculptures determined to make us a tiny bit nostalgic as they playfully shatter the misleading messages of an era that kept women tied to their apron strings.

It’s Easy to Love the Roses
fused, draped, sandblasted, sewn, 15″x10″x7″

My life and art are the result of homemaking skills gone awry. I have the luxury of exploring the complexities of domestic life from the safe distance of my studio.

Links

Susan Taylor Glasgow’s website
Read Susan Taylor Glasgow’s artist statement and comments about her process here
Robin Rice’s essay about the artist on the Wheaton Arts website
More of Taylor Glasgow’s work at the Heller Gallery