All Entries in the "Glass" Category

alex gabriel bernstein explores glass

These bold cast glass, cut glass and steel sculptures look like glacial shards or crystal formations that have burst through their metal foundations. While North Carolina artist Alex Gabriel Bernstein grew up in the middle of the studio glass movement (his parents are glass artists Katherine and William Bernstein) he initially chose a career working with children in a psychiatric hospital after graduating from college.

Splintered Block, cast, cut lead glass, fused steel

Stance, cast, cut lead glass, fused steel

Compression, cast, cut lead glass, fused steel

Eventually Bernstein found his way back to the glass world, studying under Czech artist František Janák, and obtaining an M.F.A. in glass sculpture from the School for American Crafts at Rochester Institute of Technology. His website showcases an extensive portfolio - each luminous sculpture more exciting than the last.

Flesh Bridge, cast, cut lead glass, fused steel

Detail, glass

An explorer at heart, Bernstein describes his work in an artist statement found at Patrajdas Contemporary Art:

“I feel as if I am an explorer. With each piece I make I prepare for a journey, I have a general idea where I want to go, but I never know where the path will lead me. Each piece I work on I set out in the hopes of discovering something new and exciting. As any explorer my journeys are filed with ups and downs, disappointments and breakthroughs, however with each piece I am sure to gain knowledge and insight which is the excitement that brings me to my studio every day.” Alex Bernstein

pflipsen olivova studio: sculpture meets jewelry

Husband and wife team Katia Olivova and Steve Pflipsen have only been collaborating in art and life for a few years, but their work is already strong and boldly executed. Olivova, born and raised in the Czech Republic, comes from a family of successful glass artists.  After studying at the secondary school of glass making in Kamenicky Senov, she apprenticed for both her mother, jewelry artist Marie Olivova and her father, renowned Czech glass artist Ladislav Oliva.

Red Coral Necklace, metal, coral

Olivova’s technique of using solder to fill the negative spaces between the wires on hand-wrought wire frames allows her to create her pieces directly on glass, stone, bone and a variety of other materials. I particularly like the sculptural quality of the necklaces in the collection - and the droplet sculptures are stunning (see picture below - for more sculpture images go to the sculpture section of their website). Be sure to check out their Etsy shop.

River Drop, wall sculpture, glass, metal

Opal Glass Bloom

Marble and Pearl Neckalce

Pflipsen, who grew up in Minnesota, holds a BFA in glass from the University of Wisconsin. In 2003 he met his future wife when he spent six months in the Czech Republic studying Bohemian glass techniques. Today he blows the glass for their sculptures and jewelry.

Garnet Front Hook Necklace

Moonstone Spiral Necklace

Pearl Rosette Pin

Pflipsen and Olivova have an Etsy shop

david bennett’s glass sculptures: liquid motion

Trapeze artists appear to be flying through the air, horses galloping across open fields, and gymnasts look as if they are performing impossible twists and turns. David Bennett’s glass and bronze figures capture both the shimmering, liquid qualities of the glass and the motion of his subjects.

Tumbler in Amethyst

Welding bronze rods to create cages for his figures, Bennett blows hot glass into the metal molds, later embedding LED lights into the sculptures to enhance the luminosity of the glass.  Read more about the artist’s process here.

Dancing Stallions, blown glass and bronze, 39″ x 37″ x 16″

Red and Turquoise

Bennett gives new meaning to the idea of reinventing yourself, and hope to anyone who thinks it is ‘too late’ to begin again.  Almost twenty years ago the former Army-Captain-turned-lawyer was on vacation celebrating his 50th birthday when he met a glassblower who spoke to the litigator about his life - that conversation made Bennett question his own path and he set out to chart another course. Read this beautifully written excerpt from the 2007 American Style magazine article about the artist.

Brown Galloper, blown glass and bronze, 22″ x 36″ x 14″

Hoops Lady

David Bennett with one of his sculptures

“Artisans have been blowing glass into metal forms for two thousand years. We are pushing the technique. We can make complex forms in glass and bronze that we could not do in either medium alone. As we’ve stretched the technical processes of blowing glass into metal, I’ve had more and more artistic freedom. Our figures can be lighter and wilder in their motions, and we’ve become able to manipulate the glass around its armatures in increasingly playful ways.” David Bennett

See an out-of-this-world Bennett chandelier here (click on the images to view them larger).

demetra theofanous captures the essence of spring

In the deep of Winter we search for signs of Spring, eager to see evidence of a thaw that marks the beginning of the season of renewal and rebirth. This morning I found the first signs of the season in the work of glass artist Demetra Theofanous. She speaks to this cycle of growth, change and rebirth with lampworked and hand blown glass nests, eggs, branches and flowers.

Still Life Series, Untitled, flameworked, hand blown eggs

The sculptures possess a quiet beauty that comes through the graceful forms, enhanced by a lush color palette and the ever-so-careful placement of each piece. A former CPA with a business degree who began her journey with glass only a few years ago, Theofanous reminds us that it is never too late to start over, to change direction…to realize our full potential.

Entangled, 12″ diameter, lampworked glass nest with hand blown eggs

Untitled Nest

Renewal, 24″ x 10 1/2 flameworked, hand blown branches, hot sculpted nest, blown eggs

She considers the tension between inner strength versus timing and circumstance, in starting over and changing our path.  Depending on the individual’s emotional structure, the scale can tip to either maintaining the status quo, or at the other extreme, taking a drastically different path. She points to unrealized potential, and most importantly, belief in self over circumstance.  Her eggs and flower buds are key elements that evoke this notion of rebirth, growth, and change, even at times when many feel their age or circumstance prohibits them from starting over. From Demetra Theofanous’ Artist Statement

Theofanous is a 2010 NICHE Award Finalist for her sculpture Renewal (detail images seen above). See the entire sculpture here.

Read her artist statement here.

joanna manousis: glass artist to watch

UK artist Joanna Manousis is quickly making a name for herself in the glass world. In addition to showcasing her painting skills and witty sense of humor, her work has been described as “technically brilliant.” I was initially drawn to Manousis’ spoof of iconic imagery of the 1950’s housewife - specifically the cleaning spray bottles - but the fragile beauty of her installation, Lace, made me look twice (see images below).

Self Contained Sprays, blown, kiln cast, glass, hand painted enamels
18″ x 5.5″ x 5.5″ and 15″ x 4.75″ x 4.75″

Self Contained Spray I, blown, kiln cast, glass, hand painted enamels
15″ x 4.75″ x 4.75″

Joanna Manousis at work

The artist, who created a canopy of glass lace by fusing Venetian cane, earned a Pearson Glass Award, Best Newcomer, for the installation (student category, 2007). 24 year old Manousis graduated with an honors degree in glass at Wolverhampton University and is currently working on a Masters degree at Alfred University in upstate New York. Manousis is one to watch.

Lace, fused glass Murrine

Lace, detail

gesine hackenberg: table talk

Over the weekend I started setting up our new kitchen, unpacking cooking and eating essentials along with special pieces that have sentimental value, like my grandmother’s carnival glass fruit bowl.

{I’ll post pictures of the kitchen when it is finished, but you can see up-to-date pictures of the remodel progress on my Facebook page}

Red Wine/White Wine Rummer Brooch, Finnish table glass, silver, steel needle

The kitchen is often the heart of a home, and most of us have powerful memories that include a dish, pitcher or bowl that held center court in the kitchens of our childhood. My grandmother’s iridescent orange bowl always makes me smile, bringing back memories that span three generations each time I use it.

Grip Brooch, earthenware, silver

Gesine Hackenberg creates jewelry with a focus on the themes of household, kitchen, table and food culture. In the Still Life Collection, Hackenberg takes glass from tableware and turns it into brooches with silhouette shapes of drinking glasses and bowls. The simple shapes and beautiful pairing of colors make for bold statement pieces to wear, but I also like the idea of a grouping of these framed for the wall.

Hackenberg’s earlier work included simple shapes punched from antique ceramics. Wonder if she takes custom orders? The photography is brilliant - really helps to put the work in perspective when you look at it next to the plate or bowl that it came from. Enjoy the images - I have to get back to my unpacking.

Red Ring, earthenware, silver

“I’m fascinated by the aspect of personal preciousness revealed in all kinds of belongings. Especially in objects that seem to find a place close and near to the body. I explore how these pieces can relate to the body and examine this relationship through its connection.” Gesine Hackenberg

Big Makkum Kitchen Necklace, earthenware, thread

Glass Bowls, brooches, finnish table glass, silver, palladium needle

guan donghai: opening the gates

China’s Guan Donghai creates cast glass sculptures that capture his interpretation of the gate form as a symbol of power, not welcome. The artist, who immersed himself in weaving and watercolor painting before he found glass, has exhibited worldwide, but as far as I can tell, not in the United States.

City Gates Series, Cast Glass

The sculptures have been described as having a primal feel similar to the work of William Morris, but representing decidedly Chinese objects and history.

City Gate Series

Donghai earned a Masters in Art from the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University and in 2000 was tapped to become the director of the newly established glass art studio at the school. This program was the first glass art program in a Chinese university - an ambitious and successful undertaking. Indeed, he is helping to open the gates of opportunity for many artists in his country.

City Gate Series No.1, Sand Cast Glass

City Gate Series No.7, Kiln Cast Glass

From the form we are given the information that it was not built for welcome people to get in, but show the power for defend, show the dignity that cannot offend. I don’t know when it became a symbol that represents an area. We use ‘into the gate’ or ‘cross the threshold’ to describe people starting a new area study or using ‘attack the gate’ to describe tackle key problems. We use the term ‘country gate’ to describe a country ‘Gateway Opens’ or ‘Live In Seclusion’. Behind a gate always hides the mysterious that made people to guess, to imagine ‘What is inside?’ Is treasure or monster?

Seven Swords, Kiln Cast Glass

To see Donghai’s Weapons Series, click on the image of the Seven Swords above and scroll down the page.

Read more about China’s new wave of contemporary glass art here.

keeping me calm: the glass percussion project

I’m a little overwhelmed today.  We still have contractors in the house, still don’t have all of our things over here, still have much to do to get organized and back to a daily rhythm.  While I gather my thoughts and see what’s happening with the kitchen floor installation, please take a look at (and listen to)  this ambitious collaboration between glass artist Elaine Miles and composer Eugene Ughetti.

The project “merges glass installation with live performance and sound installation in exploration of a common language. The experience is a meditative interplay between sight, sound, light and movement.”

Just the soothing break I need today. More about the Glass Percussion Project on their website and in this article from Resonate magazine. Hope you have a calm, soothing weekend.

joyce roessler: glass jewels

Joyce Roessler began working with glass as an art school student. Today, more than 30 years later, the artist is still excited by the material’s possibilities. Roessler enhances the glass jewels with her own fabricated metal work and she has successfully used the metal as subtle framing for the glass - no competition here - Roessler’s glass is the star of this show.

Cupped Ring

Black Frosted Tassle Necklace

Black Orbs Brooch

Roessler has focused on making blown glass beads and glass jewelry since 1992. Describing the process she explains that “the beads are made by drawing a gather of hot glass across the studio, sometimes more than 30 feet long. This is very intense work and usually involves at least two people. The resulting glass tubes are then annealed to reduce stress and finally cut into slices of varying thickness with a diamond saw. A lapidary process, which takes up to two weeks, gives the beads their final shape and finish; either a matte, frosted surface, or a shiny gloss.”

Orange Frost Twisted Necklace

Blue Frost Twisted Necklace

I continue to push color use. I am always striving to find new colors by using glass overlays. This might mean taking an opal lilac and overlaying a transparent peach color glass to get an end result that is more interesting and unique. Becoming more technically proficient allows more creative freedom.

Joyce Roessler - from an interview with For The Love of Jewels

You can see more of Roessler’s work at Morgan Glass Gallery

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.

house and home: janis miltenberger’s lampworked sculpture

We are moving in a few days, several months after buying a fifty year old house some distance from where we live now. Over the last four months we gutted half of the house and significantly ‘greened’ each room as we renovated. We look forward to hibernating for awhile before beginning the next stage of renovation in the spring after a long winter’s rest.

Love’s Sacrament, 37″ x 10″ x 10″

Nearing the end of the first phase of the remodel, I have started to think about how to make this house a home and my natural inclination is to gather inspirational images from many sources. My quest has uncovered several artists with works that speak to house and home.

Janis Miltenberger’s lampworked glass sculptures feel dramatic and quiet at the same time. Initially drawn to her Houses and Cages series, ultimately it was the artist’s Chair sculptures that kept me rooted in my own chair as I scrolled through the images.

Passive Voice, 36″ x 9″ x 10″

Passive Voice, detail

The chairs, with their rich colors and delicate details, are a nod to nature’s bounty and look as though they would be at home on a forest floor, waiting for one of Mother Nature’s creatures to come along and sit for a spell.

Upright of Heart, 36″ x 11″ x 10″

Miltenberger, who has been working with glass since 1978, began her career as a glassblower making functional objects like goblets and pitchers. She credits later studies with three glass artists - Susan Plum, James Minson and Cesare Toffolo Rossit - as a pivotal point in her relationship with glass and the impetus for the shift that eventually helped her find her own voice. That voice is strong and lyrical. The work is sumptuous and her keen ability to tell a story with the glass is something to celebrate.

Our Waxing Light, 34″ x 8.5″ x 8.5″

Many of my ideas derive from myth and biblical stories, creating analogies between ideas, words, heart and actions. I believe that this vocabulary of archetypal images exist in all of us, like seeds of ancient shared understanding, each viewer comprehending this unconscious language. Janis Miltenberger

More at Butters Gallery

cathy strokowsky: glass and fiber

Galerie Elena Lee (Montreal) is representing glass artist Cathy Strokowsky at SOFA Chicago this weekend.  Strokowsky’s bulbous vessels, a fusion of blown glass, lampworked glass and woven artificial gut, look like sea urchin-botanical hybrids that have been plucked from an underwater landscape.

Red Moonstones, 7” x 7” x 7”
blown glass, flameworked glass, glass beads, woven artificial sinew

Scarlet Windflower, 10” x 5.75” x 5.75”
blown glass, flameworked glass, woven artificial sinew

African Bloom, 7.75” x 7.25” x 7.25”
blown & sandblasted glass, flameworked glass, woven artificial sinew

Bayberry, 7.5” x 7.25” x 7.25”
blown glass, flameworked glass, woven artificial sinew

Angels Tears, 6” x 6.5” x 6.5”
blown & sandblasted glass, flameworked glass, woven artificial sinew

tim tate’s illuminarium to debut at sofa-chicago 2009

Tim Tate designed his most recent body of work after feeling the pull to get back to his roots in craft. Combining hundreds of pieces of cast glass, blown glass forms that enclose the cast pieces, and lighting from within provided by LED lights, the Illuminarium series marks a new direction for the nationally known sculptor who is best known for video reliquaries.

Headed Home, 8×8x22
cast glass, turned and blown glass, LED’s

Historically, we often view objects under glass as important and revered. When creating the Illuminarium pieces, Tate drew upon memories of an image from a documentary that featured a picture of Madam Curie’s newly discovered radium under a glass dome.

Guardian, 10×10x22
cast bullseye glass, turned and blown glass, LED’s

When I asked about the new series, which the Maureen Littleton Gallery will preview at SOFA Chicago this weekend, Tim explained, “I chose Illuminarium as a term to describe the work. It references not only its LED illumination, but also refers to spiritual illumination from within. This form hopefully gives these pieces the feeling of awe I once had while watching that glowing piece of radium.”

The Artist’s Attic, 9×9x24
cast and blown glass, LED’s

While Tate’s Illuminarium is centered firmly in craft, the work is driven by new technologies. Small LED lighting that is now available throws off very little heat and allowed him to enclose the lights under the glass domes.

Summer Of Love, 8×8x24
cast uranium glass, blown glass, black light LED’s

Last year when they began making the LED’s in black light, it was enough to bring back his childhood fascination with black lights and peace signs. ‘Summer of Love’ is made of hundreds of cast glass peace signs, Ganesh heads, flowers, toadstools and a hookah smoking caterpillar finial at the top.

Lit with LED black lights, ‘Summer of Love’ captures more than cast glass elements - it captures the thinking and actions of a generation and preserves them in our collective memory.

Summer of Love, detail

Hookah smoking caterpillar finial lit by LED black light

Congratulations to Tate on this new direction - he continues to provide us with thought provoking, stirring work that transforms our experience of art.

morgane guilcher’s glass jewels

Trained as a metalsmith, in 1999 France’s Morgane Guilcher became curious about flameworking glass and began a passionate exploration of the material. Traditional training in Murano, Italy in 2006 helped shift her jewelry in a new direction and today, inspired by the sea, this seductive work shakes our perception of fragile and precious.

A colour driven, shape specific style which uses flameworked glass allows me to produce a very mythical and ethereal effect that conjures up mysterious worlds long gone by, in a most contemporary way. Morgane Guilcher

You can see more of Guilcher’s jewelry here and here.

marzia rossi’s quiet, shadowy curves

I like the soft curves, shadows and quiet colors of Marzia Rossi’s jewelry. I can’t find much about this Italian artist or the materials she uses -  I think it is glass, but it could be some kind of plastic. Anyone know more about Rossi?

Thanks to Ronna Sarvas Weltman for bringing the work to our attention.