On our final day in the High5 Glass series we celebrate one of the most daring, innovative glass blowers in the country today. Influenced by archaeology and ancient pagan cultures, William Morris’ mastery over material allows him to take glass to a place few have gone. Absent are the riot of color and translucency usually associated with this medium. Instead, under his spell of natural talent, technical skill and fearless experimentation, Morris coaxes the material to simulate the coloring and texture of ancient artifacts.
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Situla, 13″ x 14″ x 7″, blown glass, steel stand
Animal Pins, 16″ x 9″ x 5″, blown glass, steel stand
When he was twenty years old William Morris took a job driving a truck for the Pilchuk School of Glass because he couldn’t afford to enroll as a student. Fascinated by Dale Chihuly’s work, he asked the renowned glass artist if he could help him in the studio at the school. Chihuly agreed and Morris stayed for ten years. It was a decade-long unpaid internship that allowed him to learn from artists who were better than him until he found his own voice – and indeed it has matured into a deep, resonant voice that honors nature, history and primitive rituals.
Sumatra Sumbar Situla, 18″ x 24″x 11″, blown glass, steel stand
“In looking at Morris’ art, we are reminded of what it is to be ancient, what it is to be human; we momentarily reconnect with that elemental aspect of our psyches that is prehistoric. This is the territory that Carl Jung termed the collective unconscious, a potent repository of meaning and experience. Beyond his technical brilliance in the craft of blowing and sculpting glass, it is Morris’ ability to enter and work within the realm of the unconscious that makes him a superior artist.” Tina Oldknow, Curator of Modern Glass at the Corning Museum of Glass
Whisk, 30″ x 10″x 3″, blown glass, steel stand
Watch this video from Road Trip Nation as Morris shares his story with three curious students. He may have been a man without a plan, but he was willing to do whatever it took to learn his craft. Morris’ advice regarding living the choices that we make is relevant to everyone, regardless of what path you are on.
In the video profile below, Creative Nature filmmaker John Andres and curator Linda Tesner talk about the man, the art and the inspiration.
Links:
William Morris’ website
More of Morris at Holsten Galleries
View the trailer for Creative Nature, a full length documentary about William Morris
Purchase the DVD: Creative Nature
Here’s one book about the artist: William Morris: Animal/Artifact
And another one: William Morris: Man Adorned
William Morris on Road Trip Nation
Pilchuk Glass School
High5 Glass Series
About the High5 series here
High5 Glass features Mary Van Cline
High5 Glass features Lino Tagliapietra Makes a Cane
High5 Glass features Michael Janis
High5 Glass features Bountiful Beads
High5 Glass features Kate Fowle Meleney
High5 Glass features Kristina Logan
High5 Glass features Susan Taylor Glasgow
High5 Glass features Frabel in the Garden
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I’d seen samples of William Morris’ work before but knew nothing about him. Thank you so much for bringing this, and all the other great work this week, to us!