The Treachery of Images
The Treachery of Images
April 2017 The National Liberty Museum
The National Liberty Museum Curated by the GlassAccess Team at NLM: Meegan Coll Holly Smith Emma Salamon Published by National Liberty Museum 321 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 925-2800 www.libertymuseum.org @NLMGlassAccess @NationalLibertyMuseum Cover image: Brandon Martin, Photo by Alexa Reyna Back Cover Image: Banjo and Snic Barne, Photo by Alexa Reyna Photography courtesy of the artist unless otherwise noted
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Table of contents About the National Liberty Museum...................................................3 About GLASSACCESS ...................................................4 Introduction ....................................................6 Participating Artists. ....................................................8-76 Thank you ....................................................77-83
Detail from Leviathan, Brandon Martin
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The National Liberty Museum Located in the heart of historic Philadelphia, the National Liberty Museum is dedicated to preserving America’s heritage of freedom by encouraging people to find their own place in the story of liberty. Visitors to the Museum enjoy an inspiring and entertaining experience as they interact with incredible stories of heroes and a collection of contemporary art. Our core themes include leadership and good character; diversity and inclusion; peaceful conflict resolution; and civic engagement. The primary art form within the Museum is glass art. The works of art inspire dialogue around key issues relating to liberty. Through our youth education programs at the Museum and in the community, children and young adults discover the power of self-expression through art. Students practice creative problem-solving and critical thinking during educator-led discussions around our glass art exhibits.
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GlassAccess The glass art displayed at the National Liberty Museum draws much interest from our visitors. Some of our visitors are experiencing glass art for the first time, and are intrigued by this unique, contemporary, and complex art form. Others are long-time glass art lovers, including those who are serious glass art collectors themselves. Additionally, there is always great interest in the way glass art is used in context with liberty, heroism and civic responsibility, and history through art. To enhance interaction with our glass art collection and glass exhibits, our Glass Art Department has established a “Glass Access� center. In Glass Access you can speak directly with our glass team, see works not currently on view, and learn more about the unique art form and community.
Meegan Coll Emma Salamon Holly Smith Glass Art Director Glass Assistant Director Glass Coordinator
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La trahison des images, RenĂŠ Magritte
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The Treachery of Images The National Liberty Museum is proud to present The Treachery of Images, an exhibit of functional glass pipes and related art. Some of the oldest known ritual artifacts are smoking pipes dating back thousands of years and found in sites around the world. The Treachery of Images features works by contemporary glass artists who both celebrate and challenge this legacy. The works in this exhibition will make viewers rethink their assumptions about the boundaries between fine art and functional objects. The United States has witnessed a flame-working renaissance in the past few decades, within which a formidable and inspirational pipe scene has fought to thrive. The work featured in this exhibit represents both local and national artists, including the pipe world’s heaviest hitters along with its newest players. These artists have endured discouragement, exclusion, and even persecution for following their passion. Their perseverance and spirit of expression make these artists Heroes of Liberty in our eyes.
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"American Pipe Maker We are crafters, artists, inventors, innovators, pioneers, rock stars, rebels and even considered criminals by some. The “American Pipe Maker” is keeping alive a human tradition of functional object making that is becoming extinct in this modern world. There are not many craft objects today that are so desired and actually used in everyday life, yet are still handcrafted by an individual The Glass Pipe Movement is a true American Craft. Whether it is recognized yet or not, glass pipes in America are used everyday by so many people as a smoking device. These cultural relics are also pieces of taboo collectible art. The making of this object has spawned a huge subculture that I’m very proud to be a part of. As an artist, I am taking advantage of this time and place in history. I am an American Pipe Maker." - Zach Puchowitz
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Banjo
Born in western Michigan, in 1976, glass artist Banjo has been shaped and influenced by a variety of diverse experiences from his years growing up between both urban and rural settings. After graduating high school, Banjo attended Siena Heights University, first focusing on art history, and then pursuing degrees in both photography, and sculpture. While at Siena Heights, Banjo was deeply influenced by his sculpture professor, from whom he would eventually learn to make banjos and guitars. After becoming disillusioned with the rigid expectations of a formal art education, he dropped out midway through his senior year, and with a handmade banjo strapped to his back, left to explore the country, setting the stage for what would essentially become his own epic, on his own terms. A father, a teacher, and an inspirational leader throughout the functional glass community, Banjo has become known for his painstakingly intricate depictions of interdimensional biomechanical deities representing the emergence of sacred feminine energy within the post-modern technoindustrial matrix. His techno-goddesses sit peacefully amid the Pistons and gears, the nuts and bolts of the machines they are supported by. A visionary and an optimist, Banjo has faith in a future that includes our technological and spiritual abilities existing in synchronous harmony for the benefit of our species' evolution. His work depicts this vision as he creates archetypes for a current mythos that is still unfolding.
Freija, Banjo and Snic Barnes, 15" x 11" x 8" Flameworked Borosilicate Glass. Photo by Alex Reyna
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Slinger
M. Slinger is a renowned artist, glassblower and filmmaker who has been making pipes since 1997. A tastemaker in his field, his work has drawn inspiration from both Dadaism and pop culture iconography. Shot over a decade and released in 2012, his groundbreaking documentary "Degenerate Art" brought the glass pipe movement out of the underground and into the homes of the mainstream. Considered a "godfather" of the glass movement, he has traveled to many countries and taught and inspired thousands of people both within and outside of the industry. His work has been exhibited at SOFA Chicago (2008) SOFA New York (2009) and SXSW Film Festival (2012).
Dab Game Andy Warhol, Slinger, 4 2/8� X 3 1/5�d. Sleeved Graal, Borosilicate glass Photos by Jeff Dimarco
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Earth Medicine Totem, K-Sass, 15"x 4", Flameworked Borosilicate Glass.
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K-Sass
Mystic artistic soul, Kristina Sasser, known as “K-Sass Glass� in the glassblowing world has practiced raising the vibration through art her entire life. In 1999 she discovered glass and ever since she has been melting this molten ancient art, merging her artistic vision with spirituality, beauty, and organic nature. K-Sass started making clay pipes in her high school days, her signature art of the headdie functional piece evolved over the next 2 decades. For almost as long as she has been blowing glass she has been a practicing yogi. A practitioner of an ancient exercise designed to join body-mind-spirit. Her pieces are very spiritually charged. Incorporating chakra symbolism, sacred geometry, infusing precious gems, metals, and energetically charged meteorite specimens into the glass. K-Sass is also inspired by organic nature, influenced by her Native American Cherokee roots. Plant medicines, native ceremonies, flowers, feathers, galactic space and the beyond are all themes that show up in her art. She makes a wide range of glass from Jewelry, to large scale installations, specializing in ceremonial functional pieces. Constantly pushing the envelope and expanding her psychedelic horizons. K-Sass, also a philanthropist, served as director of The Colorado Project for 5 years. The Colorado Project is a non-profit collaborative of glass artists who hold events and collaborate on pieces to raise funds for charitable causes in the community. K-Sass is not only an artist, but a teacher, and founder of Star Seed Studios in Boulder Colorado. K-Sass has worked in Jamaica, on the glass pipe movement, and in February 2016 competed in the CHAMPS Las Vegas Masters Glassblowing competition. In 2016 she was a guest speaker in Paris, France at the French flameworking society's 2nd annual glass symposium. 14
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"The greatest gift the pipe scene has given me is a temporary freedom from the Why. After years of having to justify my materials, intentions and directions to my teachers and viewers, I am free to explore for sheer curiosity. Excitement informs the why in a much healthier way than the pressure of being a valued part of the conversation. If we aren't free to talk to ourselves then we won't be able to bring authenticity and insight to others." - Taffy
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Germ
Germ (Jeremy Grant-Levine) is a Philadelphia based glass artist and teacher. His parents are both artists and encouraged him to experiment with all materials from a very young age. Germ has a degree in Scientific glassblowing and spent several years working in the scientific glass industry, before returning to making art full time. He has traveled extensively, collaborating and learning from some of the best glassblowers in the country. He has been teaching in studios around the US and internationally for the past few years. Germs work is always in flux. One series of work could focus on the sea and his New England up bringing (Smoke on the Water, 2015) and the next could reference eastern spiritual practices and communal ritual (Tools for Enlightenment, 2016). For many years he experimented with traditional German glassblowing techniques and tried to give them a more contemporary feel. Currently he is starting a project called 1000 glass cranes. He seeks to follow the ancient Japanese tradition of Senbazuru, folding 1000 origami cranes. The legend is that if you fold 1000 cranes in a year, you are granted good fortune, health, luck, or a wish. After running a very successful Kickstarter campaign, he has begun this year long journey. A. Tools for Enlightenment, Germ and Trevy Metall, Size variable, Flameworked and Engraved Borosilicate Glass. B. Red Medici Series, Germ, 8” x 5.25” x 4” 18 Photos by Jeff Dimarco
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The Citrus King, Mike Luna, 6" x 8" Photos by Jeff Dimarco
Mike Luna
"I got into glass in 1999. I was living in LA after high school working in a dead end job at an auto parts store. My brother Chris was already working glass here in Oregon and was trying to pull some strings to get me a job. One day in early 1999 I got a phone call that changed my life forever! He said : "come up to Oregon if you want to become a glass blower." I started working at studio G in grants pass Oregon, under the direction of my soon to be good buddy Gilbert Velasco! (Thanks Gilbert!) I started making wrapped and raked spoons. I remember the first time I saw glass in the flame with gold and silver fume, it was MAGIC! Your brain almost goes back into a child like mode, full of wonderment as to what you're seeing. Around the shop there was talk of a glass legend, who lived in the hills nearby, his name Darby Holm! I remember the first time I met him he came into the shop..he had a aura about him I remember, he lit up the room! Everyone wanted a turn talking to the master. We hit it of from the git go. He invited me to accompany him and his friend Braum to Hollywood for a glass party, thrown by Rick from the Crush.There I saw all the greats in one room; Clinton,Marcel,Jason lee, Chris Dawson and of course Darby Holm all displaying there works! My imagination and inspiration has been flowing ever since. I live in the mountains of Selma Oregon and work along side Darby and his son Caleb, his nephew Bobby, and his loving wife Lila! It's like I have two familys." 20
The Art of Seduction, JP Jenicke, 6" x 1.5" x 1.5", Flameworked Borosilicate Glass 21
Star Seeker, JP Jenicke and Big Z, 11" x 6" x 4", Flameworked Borosilicate Glass
JP Jenicke When Justin Jenicke moved from his native home of Kansas City to Salt Lake City to be a snow bum, he never would have imagined that he would actually find his passion for working glass instead. While he was interested in art from an early age, he had never received any formal schooling in the subject, only casually dabbling with different mediums before finding glass. Justin learned the basics of the craft in the garage of a coworker who was making borosilicate pipes and goblets. Since those beginning days Justin has had the opportunity to travel the country and work with as well as learn from some of the pipe industries best artists. In 2016 Justin was invited to work at The Portal, a cooperative glass studio in Denver. This is where Justin Has worked and resided since. Justin’s style is defined by sleek, elegant shapes and clean symmetry. He draws inspiration from Classic Venetian shaping, Science Fiction, Mythology, and the human form. He is primarily a borosilicate lampworker, but has also experimented with fused glass as well as chandeliers made from recycled bottles.
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Brandon Martin Starting in the Summer of 1997, Brandon Martin began learning to work with glass while attaining a degree in 3D computer modeling and animation. Having always been drawn to creating art in many forms and across all mediums, the smooth flow and unique feel of working with glass held an attraction that was hard to resist. His constantly evolving style is always heading in new directions, but ever present in his design is a respect for the natural world, illustrated through organic forms and concepts. In recent years Brandon has become interested in how, through his artwork and the support of the loyal glass community, he can affect change. Brandon has participated in charity events like the Michigan Glass Project, and donated a portion of his profits to animal conservation groups such as the International Rhino Foundation and the Green Heritage Fund of Suriname. Today, Brandon can either be found creating new designs from his studio in St. Paul, Minnesota, or exploring the outdoors with his two dogs, Moss and Del.
Leviathan, Brandon Martin, 16" x 14" x 7" Cast Bronze and Flameworked Borosilicate Glass, Photo by Alex Reyna 24
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"Like Manet’s Olympia, progress is made through transgressions against the norm. Pipe makers have been transgressing from the traditional since the early 1990’s and are just now gaining recognition outside their own peers. The pipe community is filled with problem solvers and passionate creators. Pipe making has enabled numerous artists to live out their version of the American dream. The uniquely entrepreneurial pipe market has allowed artists the independence to be their own boss, make their own hours, and create anything they can dream up." - Elliott Todd
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Chadd Lacy
Chadd Lacy received his BFA from Tyler School of Art in 2004. Shortly after he moved on to serve as studio technician and adjunct faculty at Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, Ohio. By 2014, after spending nearly a decade in academia, Chadd soon realized the limitations of his opportunities in the academic world. Having worked as a pipe maker through college Chadd took his continued interest in pipe culture and returned to the torch in 2014. Today Chadd’s functional and non-functional work can be found in galleries, museums and private collections around the world. Adrienne DiSalvo received her BFA from Cleveland Institute of Art in 2010. Though her focus was jewelry and metals, she had always fostered a passion for glass. After graduation Adrienne went onto a successful career as a goldsmith working for a major production goldsmithing studio in Cleveland. Seeing opportunity for multimedia works and cameo glass in pipe making, Adrienne later applied her skills to the functional glass world. Today her imaginative stylings are highly sought after in the pipe making community, and can be found on the collaborative work of a range of pipemakers throughout the industry. A. “Whale in a Vdub” collaborative work Chadd Lacy, Adrienne DiSalvo and Kurt B Flameworked and Carved Glass 7”x 5” x 3” B. "Whale on a Swing”, Chadd Lacy Flameworked Glass and Powder Coated Steel 12” x 8” x 8” 28
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Darby Holm
"Forged from the heart of an oak tree and born deep in Bigfoot country southern Oregon, my journey in life began. Destined to be a self sustained artist I quickly dove into the stereotypical life of a “starving artistâ€? with little to no income. I learned fast and found my way doing odd jobs to support my habit of painting on windows or detail accents on cars, some T-shirt designs and lots of drawings on whatever I found cool at the time. Glass found me in the mid 90′s like a moth to a light, I could not look away. April 5th 1996 I lit my own torch for the first time under the guidance of my younger brother Carsten Carlile. From that point on I realized the glass world was wide open and all mine to play with and explore as I pleased. Thanks to an incredible community of like minded and equally talented family and friends I have watched this industry grow into something I am very proud to be a part of today."
Darby Holm, Mac 10, 11" x 13.5" x 2.5", Flameworked Borosilicate Glass 30
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Jop!
Joshua Opdenaker aka Jop! was born in Philadelphia and graduated from the University of the Arts with a BFA focus on stone carving in 2002. After years of carving stone, Josh began lampworking borosilicate glass in 2001. Glass blowing became his medium of choice for sculpting and in particular started making glass pipes. While still an outlaw art form, the methods and creation were kept secret and not often spoken about in public places. Thus became the moniker ‘jop’ derived from an arrangement of his full name. He has exhibited pipes around the world, often blurring the line between what would be a visible pipe and what would be the non functional sculpture. With such a broad range of style, it is difficult to isolate what that style particularly is. Josh states, “if nothing else, view my work as original. Technique and craft can be learned, originality cannot. You either have it, or you do not.” A. Bio Mech Baby, 36"x 36" x 16" without stand, Flameworked Borosilicate Glass B. Anatomical Heart Bub, 8" x 5" x 4", Flameworked Borosilicate Glass C. Baby Two Scoops, 16" x 12" x 6", Flameworked Borosilicate Glass
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"The pipe industry has changed glass art forever. We used to be the ones who were shunned by the glass art community for disgracing the medium by adding function, not even called artists. Finally, after years and years of work and development and learning our industry, pipe making has gotten to the forefront of contemporary glass art today. This did not happen overnight. We have worked very long and hard to gain the respect from the art community, through technical ability to executing massive functional creations together we finally did it. I am happy to say that I was a small part of the process having founded the Flame Off at the trade show in Las Vegas 7 years ago, which many of the artist participating in this show were competitors. The idea then was to show our industry buyers how much work it takes to make these pieces thus to better understand why they cost so much. But more over to show how complex the process is to make glass art function. This is a hurdle unfamiliar to the nonfunctional glass artists. The function options have also changed so much in a short time that is hard to keep updated, like glass they are also endless...
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We are a movement. I wanted so desperately to be glass artist for a living, and saw no other way to break into the glass world full time except to start making pipes. After nearly three years in glass school, I had to start making money to support my family and this was my only way to stay in glass. Now I am so happy to say that glass has sustained my livelihood fulltime for 19 years. I feel blessed to be able to create in glass daily as well as explore my art heritage in a way my family never dreamed possible. My father and mother both support my decision to be a pipe maker and that has enabled me to continue this path and pass my craft onto my child whatever she chooses to do with it. I wish I could say that had I not started making pipes I would have found a way to survive on my glass art alone, but I don’t think I could have made it this far in my art without pipe making. I am forever grateful to this community and all the other pipe artist that have shared the passion of functional glass art with me." - Lisa's Pieces
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The Humboldt Harvest Wagon, Elizabeth Heikka-Huber, 18” x 6” x 12”, Flameworked Borosilicate Glass
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Lisa's Pieces
Lisa of Lisa’s Pieces, otherwise known as Elizabeth Heikka was born in Hollywood, CA in 1977. Lisa’s father had a sign business by day and was casting bronze in the backyard by night. He built all the equipment himself, and taught himself how to sculpt western art just like his father. Her mother was also a sculptor with a passion for film, receiving her degree in film at UC Irvine. It may have been predetermined that Lisa become an artist, but she had dreams to be an environmental journalist till glass caught her heart. Lisa began working glass in the hot shop of Shasta College 1998 in Northern California. By the end of summer in 1999, she got a fulltime job lamp working borosilicate glass for an area production studio. The following year Lisa started her own studio, Amorphous Glass only to rename the company Lisa's Pieces Glass in 2000. In 2006 she met Banjo and took a week long private class with him, further developing her glass sculpting abilities. This enabled Lisa to go on to win the first Female Flame Off held in Chicago, Illinois back in 2007. She took first place in both functional sculpture and wearable art with her Giraffes. This sparked her desire to focus more on sculpting hollow animals. Her work can be found in over 40 states in several gift and glass shops, as well as a few small galleries. Currently Lisa's work is focusing on sculpting hollow blown glass horses in various scenes, similar to her family’s life work. Experimenting with functional, mixed media and kinetic sculpting. Life and realism in motion within her glass are constantly driving her work. She has hopes to recreate as many of her grandfather’s works in glass as possible. 36
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Diet DIET has been working with the medium of glass since 2008. His introduction to the torch and borosilicate glass began after a four year soft glass program at Tyler School of Art. Exploring many manifestations of ideas and concepts in search of his authentic creative voice, he has directed his full attention and technical knowledge into his current body of work, the "Divine Nature Series". The world we live in and experience on a daily basis is much more than our physical senses lead us to believe. There is an infinite world of knowledge, experience, "phenomena", and understanding that surrounds us yet to be acknowledged or taught in the mainstream culture of our time. This wealth of Knowledge has the ability to transform the way we live our lives; from aspects of health and happiness, to the effect that we can have on ourselves and our surroundings. The "Divine Nature Series" is a testament to and an expression of the Wisdom and Experience available to all of humanity, lying just beyond our everyday perceptions. Kanakdhara, Diet, 7" x 3" x 4", Hot Sculpted Borosilicate Glass, Photo by Jeff Dimarco 38
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Elliott Todd Elliott Todd grew up in rural North Carolina next to one of the best craft institutions in the world, Penland School of Crafts. After high school having picked up flameworking as a hobby and part time job, Elliott attended Penland for three classes on traditional glassblowing. Flameworking was rarely offered as a concentration at the time so he adapted the traditional Italian soft glass techniques to his own flameworked glass. Elliott attended Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia in 2012 with the intentions of applying their methods of conceptual art to his functional work. Elliott is on track to graduate in the spring of 2017, upon graduation he plans to return to North Carolina and establish an artist run studio and gallery space in his hometown of Boone.
Clusters, Elliott Todd, 6" x 6" x 6", Borosilicate Glass 40
Mantis Arthropod, Madeline Rile Smith, 9"x 4"x 6" and Grub Arthropod 7"x2"x 3 Flameworked Borosilicate Glass 41
Madeline Rile Smith
Madeline Rile Smith is a glass artist and educator specializing in flameworked sculpture and design. She is an adjunct professor of creative flameworking at New Jersey’s Salem Community College and teaches at UrbanGlass in Brooklyn and The Crefeld Glass Studio in Philadelphia. Her work has been featured in New Glass Review Volume 35 and exhibited widely on the East Coast, at venues including Sculpture NOW! with the Washington Sculpture’s group, Craft Forms at the Wayne Art Center, The Gravers Lane Gallery, The National Liberty Museum, Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Goggleworks Center for the Arts, and Ruckus Gallery. Madeline is a designer at John Barton Company and works in product development with Fenton Glass Jewelry. She holds a BFA in Glass from the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia where she lives and works.
Grub Arthropod, Madeline Rile Smith 7"x2"x 3, Borosilicate Glass
Algae Arthropod, Madeline Rile Smith, 4"x 4x5"x 3", Borosilicate Glass 42
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"The subculture and medium of pipe making has allowed me to explore, express, and thrive in my love of Ancient Wisdom teachings and the intense desire to create objects that have the potential to lead one to a more fulfilled life." - Diet
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B A A. Purple Oracle, Taffy and Reed, 7" x 3" x 3" B. Electric Lilith, Taffy and Dux, 8" x 9" x 4", Inside-Sculpting Borosilicate Glass 45
Taffy
Nikolai aka Taffy spent ten years studying traditional soft glass techniques, earning a bachelor's degree in Sculpture at Fresno State and a masters degree in Glass at CSU Fullerton. During his last year in Graduate school, Nikolai attended the DFO (Degenerate Flame Off) in Eugene, Oregon where he witnessed the incredible frontier of borosilicate pipes. Nikolai started Taffy Tubes upon graduating as a way to play with boro daily in a symbiotic relationship with the pipe industry. In the three years since Nikolai has studied with Loren Stump, Martin Janecky, Raven Skyriver, and Robert Mickelson in an attempt to bridge techniques from soft glass to boro and back.
Blue Bust Spoon, Taffy, 4" x 2.25" x 2.25" Inside-Sculpting Borosilicate Glass 46
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Zach Puchowitz Zach Puchowitz first experienced glassmaking in 1998. While attending Tyler School of Art, Zach was able to develop his understanding of the arts, his creative process and glass as a material. In 2007 he began transforming the space that would later become Ouchkick Studio. Since then, he has experimented with different avenues of the conventional glass artist. Zach has exhibited his works with galleries in Philadelphia, NYC, LA, Denver, Chicago, Seattle, Amsterdam, Scope Art Fair Miami as well as many other unconventional events and marketplaces. He has become immersed and well known in a subculture of taboo glass making.
Old Fart James, Zach Puchowitz 9"x 4" x 4" Old Fart Jerry, Zach Puchowitz, 7" x 4" x 4" Flameworked Borosilicate Glass, Photo by Toto 48
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Jae Seu
I'm a philly native, born and bred. I was blessed to get a two year apprenticeship when I was 17 under Snic in 2000. From 2002-2005 i worked alone. I was incarcerated in federal prison from 2005-2008 for distributing large amounts of marijuana (I don't regret any of it). In prison I studied the classic fine arts. Upon my release I worked at Illadelph glass until 2011 when I left and founded Pyrology glass. By 2016 I was fed up with the glass game and left to pursue other interests. The baby momma was my final expression.
Baby Momma. Jae Sue, 10”x 4.5”x 6”, Borosilicate Glass
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"When I first began to notice neon, something about its brilliance and beauty appealed to me so much, I knew that I wanted to make it for myself. I love that I can take the raw material of glass, melt and shape it into something completely different, and with the addition noble gas create colorful, glowing light! Experimenting with different neon and lampworking techniques, I like to approach my glass bending with a spirit of curiosity and observation. I find the delicate nature of glass makes it an exciting material to work with, and I enjoy the spontaneous creative process." - Eve Hoyt
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Eva Shelley
In 2000, Philadelphia artist Eva Shelley began to work with glass as an artistic medium. Over the years, she has honed her skills to include glass blowing, hot and cold casting, fusing, and lampworking – a technique that uses a torch to melt the glass; once molten, the glass can be blown or shaped. While studying glass at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, Shelley took a floral design class where she was introduced to the art of making flower arrangements using live flowers. The floral design class greatly influenced her approach to glass making as soon afterward she started to create glass flowers and bouquets. The process that Shelley primarily uses to make her glass floral arrangements is lampworking.
Piece under UV light
Using glass rods and tubing, she is able to sculpt and blow each element into a desired form such as a petal, leaf, or berry. Then, she carefully heat seals the individual glass elements together to slowly build the overall arrangement, petal by petal and leaf by leaf. Eva Shelley is passionate about her glass art. In addition to creating flowers and bouquets, she also makes glass jewelry. Shelley has said, “Once you find something that truly moves you, it can enhance your life, encourage you to grow, and leave you wanting more. That’s what glass does for me.” Floral Stripe, Eva Shelley, 3.5”x6.5”, Flameworked Borosilicate Glass
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Ryan Kuhns Ryan Kuhns is a multimedia artist and craftsperson from Denver, CO who specializes in glass, jewelry and computer aided design. Kuhns uses CAD and electroforming to combine both jewelry and sculpture elements with glass. Kuhns draws inspiration from designs and patterns found throughout architecture; using computers and modern technology to apply a variety of techniques in creating intricate multimedia sculptures.
A. Transformer T-03-2016, Kuhns, 9" x 6.5" x 5" Flame and cold worked borosilicate glass 3d designed and printed components. Copper; nickel and gold plated Cubic Zirconia Rare earth magnets B. Interstellar Space Station, Kuhns and Jolex, 7" x 4" x 3.5" Flameworked borosilicate glass 3d designed and printed components Copper; nickel and gold plated Cubic Zirconia 56
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Representational Images, Cloutglass
Justin Smith, Cloutglass
Justin Smith is a master glass blower who concentrates solely on borosilicate glass. His style is a mix of scientific and artistic lampworking borosilicate glass, creating functional and non functional art. Justin got started in 1998, and is a recognized name in both custom made glass, and through a small glass shop in West Chester: Clout Glass. Justin first entered the glass blowing world to get his art work out to the public and be able to sell something he created. He viewed creating pipes as something sellable and a stepping stone to pursue his desires to create fine art and custom made pieces. Now a successful artist in his field, he has realized the glass pipes have become a recognized form of fine glass art. Justin has followed his dream and successfully opened a fine art gallery: “Ivystone Studio” located in Downingtown, Pa. Through the years, Justin has created his own techniques one of which is Clouticello. This is a version of reticello with a twist. Clouticello uses multiple layers of glass spiraling in multiple directions to manipulate the glass into geometrical patterns using the clear and colored glass lines. Justin has done up to four layers, but usually sticks to two to three as with more layers the patterns are sometimes lost. Justin brings to lampworking a natural enthusiasm for creating works of glass. His well crafted highly skilled pieces include an exciting original color pallet, detailed fluent lines, and organic shapes. He has a wide range of works from stemware, aerators, wine and whiskey bottles and decanters, jewelry, and other functional objects. Justin’s success driven attitude does not compromise on creativity, nor is he ever reluctant to capture the moment and find something new. Justin’s work transforms everyday objects into 58 something more.
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"I was originally seduced by the physical and technical vastness of glass, and have continued to explore it’s endless creative possibilities. Traditionally, glass art has been used, yet limited, as fine craft or functional art. I’ve focused on trompe l’oeil, which appears as industrial “found art”. My intention of the work is to disrupt the viewer’s perception of it’s purpose and to instead focus on the content and message. Our next evolution, as glass artists, is to push the boundaries of what is currently recognized and accepted as contemporary art." - Joseph Ivacic/ Paradigm Shift
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Thal Glass Davis Hanscom Thal graduated from Temple University with a BA in Film and Media Arts. During his time there he took non-majors courses at Tyler School of Art, which is where he touched hot glass for the first time. He now works in the Loom of Port Richmond and assists at Tyler. His fascination with glassblowing stemmed from a love of wheel-thrown pottery and family history in the arts.
32 Pieces, Thal Glass, 9" x 9" x 3", Borosilicate Glass 62
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Rooster
Richmond, VA based artist Robert "Rooster" Stigall started working with soft glass in 1999 making small core formed vessels and beads. In 2000 he transitioned to borosilicate Glass with an unapologetic focus on pipemaking. Most of the pieces created were displayed and sold at music festivals and local markets. Currently, Rooster runs a studio in his hometown called Station33. It is a mixed media studio that houses glass pipemakers, metal, stone, and wood workers. Rooster is known for his colorful CobbleStone, Brick, and Tile patterns. He utilizes coldworking techniques, like Sandblasting and lapping, to achieve the texture and imagery displayed on his pipeworks and forms.
CuddleStone, Rooster and Robert Koch "GlassHopper", 6"x 4"x 4", Flameworked Glass, Sleeved Sandblasted sections assembled and Sculpted/ Clear sleeved Graal, Photos by Bang Le 64
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Eve Hoyt Neon "Born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland, I have been working with neon since 1989. I received my neon education at Savage Neon School in Baltimore and spent the next several years working in a variety of commercial sign shops, learning about neon and fine tuning my glass bending skills. After relocating to the Philadelphia area, I set up my own neon studio and changed my focus from signs to more artistic endeavors. I attended several lampworking and glass blowing workshops, with the intention of taking what I learned there, combined with what I knew about glass bending, to explore new possibilities for neon as an art form. "
A. Hypnoeye, Eve Hoyt, 16" x 20" x 5", Neon and Frame B. The BLue Light, Eve Hoyt, 12" x 14" x7", Neon and Frame 66
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"I'd like to say I have a deep respect for glass as not only an art medium, but a daily interaction throughout history. Some folks sweat all day producing the same bottle over and over, while I am fortunate enough to have autonomy in the objects I create. It's humbling and reminds me to be grateful." Thal Glass
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Peek, Joe Ivacic, Size Variable, Hand-Blown, Slumped, and Fused Glass 69
Joe Ivacic Joseph P. Ivacic, also known as PARADIGM SHIFT, is a Chicago based glass maker. Since receiving his BFA from the University of Illinois at Champaign, Urbana in 2000, Ivacic has been showing in group and solo shows throughout Illinois. He is in corporate and private collections throughout the country. Ivacic started using the moniker PARADIGM SHIFT to experiment with different themes in his art. He is pushing the line between fine art and craft that people associate with glass. “Glass has a ghostlike visual effect that resonates a historic feel. As a sculptor, I draw my inspiration from a personal perspective of modern necessity within the world we live in. By combining historical artifacts with current social trends to create objects in glass that have a complex narrative.�
Detail of Peek, Joe Ivacic 70
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Rockstar Glassworks Wayne McDermott began lampworking glass in early 2002 just after he left the advertising industry. His background in photography and graphic design contributed to his understanding of form, proportion, and color essential to glass blowing. Through informal apprenticeships with other lampworkers and through formal training at various lampworking classes and bead and jewelry workshops, Wayne quickly developed an array of lampworking techniques. After two years of working as a free-lance graphic designer while simultaneously engaged in intense study, Wayne began lampworking full-time under his own label, Rockstar Glassworks. Although Wayne spends much of his time creating production glass for wholesale craft vendors based on the East coast and in the Midwest, his local craft specialties include borosilicate pendants, marbles, aquatic animals, wine stoppers, sun-catchers, and ornaments. Wayne currently maintains a private studio in Dover, DE, where he resides with his wife, an assistant professor at a local college, and their dog, Gumbo and their cat, Roux.
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Seth Rodgers (b. 1990- St. Louis, MO) For the Treachery of Images, Seth showcases his experience in the realms of sign painting, street art, mall jobs and merch, with an immersive mural painted on mirrored walls.
Liberty and Glass Art for All, Seth Rodgers, Acrylic Paint on Mirror 74
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C'est Une Pipe, Christina Cole, 14" x 9" x 2", Blown Glass, Particle Board and Aerosol Paints
Ceci n'est pas une pipe- Concept Statement Navigating potentially divisive conversations within the context of the art gallery presents a unique situation especially when the subject is in it’s infancy of understanding as a social issue. With the obvious nod to Rene Magritte’s original Ceci n'est pas une pipe and the commonly mass produced spoon pipe surrounded by comically poor construction, the work’s intention is to invite a dialogue regarding the utilitarian purpose and future artistic legacy of functional glass pipes with both artists from the “traditional fine art community” and the burgeoning “glass pipe community”, under the mythology that these groups of people are currently at odds with each other. Exceptionally poor craft, in this case is inconsequential and facetious in an art museum, as it’s concept is far more interesting than the objects themselves.
Christina Cole
Christina Cole is a mixed-media installation artist whose work primarily investigates American exceptionalism, and notions of contemporary patriotism with great interest in functional glass in relationship to American glass history as a social issue. She holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts with a concentration in Glass and a minor in Art History from Tyler School of Art, Temple University in Philadelphia. Christina is currently living and working as a prosthetics technician in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in order to hone her mold-making skillset for more ambitious projects in the future. 76
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"The art of pipe making, is ancient. Our ancestors have used pipes in prayers and ceremonies for centuries. It is a beautiful and ceremonial way for us to ingest our scared earth medicines, and connect with one another. Since I was young I have had the calling to keep this art alive and carry on these ancient traditions. The places I find inspiration for the themes of these ceremonial pipes are in organic nature, galactic space, and deep spirituality. " - K-Sass
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Nick Vadala Special thanks to Nick Vadala for sharing his expertise on the topic of functional glass, as well as mediate the panel discussion which was held during the opening reception of the exhibit. Nick is a Philadelphia-based entertainment and lifestyle journalist at Philly.com, where he has worked since 2014. A Temple University graduate, Nick previously wrote for Philadelphia magazine, where he first began reporting on Philadelphia’s pipemaking subculture following college. In addition to his reporting, Nick is also longtime functional glass lover, and focuses on Philadelphia-based artists in his own collecting. "More than 30 years ago, Bob Snodgrass fumed some silver and gold onto a glass pipe, and inadvertently invented what has become one of the most vibrant subcultures in the United States today. The modern glass pipe movement has grown in size and scope ever since, and today has its own unique stars, jargon, and values, despite existing in a legal grey-area due to the artform’s association with smoking marijuana. Ultimately, in that sense, pipemaking is about personal liberty, and, as such, is a uniquely American art form that challenges our perceptions of what freedom — both in life and in art — really means." - Nick Vadala 79
Ruckus Gallery
Special thanks to Ruckus Gallery and Gallery Director Terasina Bonanini for lending us a piece by Nate Purcell (JAG) and Robert Mickelsen. Robert Mickelsen Born in 1951 in Fort Belvoir , Virginia and raised in Honolulu , Hawaii , Robert's formal education ended after one year of college. He apprenticed with a professional lampworker for two years in the mid-seventies and then sold his own designs at outdoor craft fairs for ten years. In 1987 he took a class from Paul Stankard that opened his eyes to the possibilities of his medium. In 1989, he stopped doing craft shows and began marketing his work exclusively through galleries. Since then, his career has taken off. He shows his work in some of the finest galleries in the country and participates in prominent exhibitions each year. JAG Nathan Purcell, aka JAG has been blowing glass since 1998. His unique style and aesthetics were developed while living and working in his hometown, Philadelphia. JAG was a coowner of the high end glass pipe gallery Easy Street Brooklyn and copublished both Smoked Volume 1 and Smoked Volume 2. He currently resides in San Diego and blows glass at The Shop. "Omoide" - means 'memories' in Japanese. 2015 Collab JAG and Robert Mickelsen
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We would like to thank all of the artists who participated in the exhibit, for allowing us to share their gifts and thoughts with a broader audience; Nick Vadala and Philly.com for their encouragement and exposure; Terasina Bonanini and Ruckus Gallery for their support and lending work; our panelists for being a part of the conversation; Cloutglass for their more than generous donations; Seth Rodgers for his mural; and The National Liberty Museum for making this all possible.
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