brian benchek: glass, steel and guts

Self-taught artist Brian Benchek began blowing glass in 2001 and opened a studio two years later – that takes some moxy and it seems to have paid off for the Ohio native.  Benchek mixes glass with patinated steel in his Fused Metal series, creating forms that look vaguely familiar yet at the same time offer a bit of mystery and intrigue.

For 3D wall pieces like the one pictured above, the artist uses hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of individually blown or sculpted glass components to create depth and visual interest. The components act as pixels in a larger image and he is able to achieve rich textures and patterns by sandblasting, engraving or pairing the glass elements with rusted steel.

Benchek is featured in an interview on this 2007 segment of the PBS show Applause – gives you a nice glimpse into his path and growth as a self-taught artist.

Here’s an HGTV clip featuring Benchek’s over the top blown glass ceiling installation in a residential bathroom.