P R E S T O N S I N G L E TA R Y T H E I L L U M I N AT E D F O R E S T
TRAVER GALLERY
S E AT T L E
APRIL 4 - 27, 2019
P R E S T O N S I N G L E TA R Y T H E I L L U M I N AT E D F O R E S T
TRAVER GALLERY
S E AT T L E
APRIL 4 - 27, 2019
PRESTON SINGLETARY THE ILLUMINATED FOREST APRIL 4 - 27, 2019 TRAVER GALLERY
The Illuminated Forest, the newest exhibition by renowned Tlingit artist, Preston Singletary, is a poignant tribute to a sacred natural realm; a realm where, according to Tlingit mythology, the Shaman resides. Always interested in connecting the traditions of storytelling in Northwest Coast Native society with contemporary culture and politics, Singletary brings fresh and newly imagined imagery to this most recent body of work. His blown and carved glass sculptures elegantly meld the traditional form-line design and iconography with modern forms, colors, and gestures; calling attention to the cultural threads that connect the two distinct temporal realities they represent. Preston says of this show, “In the Tlingit territory, the forest is where the Shaman lived. In stillness and solitude, they observed nature and how the animals behaved. They learned about medicinal plants and connected with animal spirit helpers. From the forest came the cedar bark and spruce used to weave baskets, hats, and garments. Trees were harvested to make totem poles to illustrate clan histories and make utilitarian objects such as bowls, spoons, boxes, tools for hunting, and canoes for transportation. The forest is also home to the animals; bears, wolves and supernatural animals such as the Cannibal Giant and Kushtaka, the land otters. These are the images of the illuminated forest�. The new sculptures included in this exhibition depict imagery from Tlingit stories about the animals of the forest, the shaman, and sacred resources the forest provides. Like the subjects that inspired them, Singletary’s sculptures are imbued with power; they carry with them the history and myths of a community, illuminate truths and invoke spirits, connect us to the natural and supernatural, and call on us to be both quiet observers and active stewards of our precious natural world. Preston Singletary continues to assert himself as a keeper and teller of stories and as a contemporary master of his craft. We are especially proud to share this new body of work with you, our collectors and friends. Sarah Traver and William Traver
4
7
9
10
13
14
16
18
21
23
Artworks, by page number: 1. FEATHER IN THE OIL, 2019 Blown and carved glass w/ steel base 27 x 5.5 x 3 in.
14. EVERYTHING HAS SPIRIT, 2018 Blown and carved glass 5.25 x 20 x 7 in.
4. HOUSE OF THE EAGLE, 2019 Blown and carved glass 21.5 x 7 x 7 in.
15. WORLD OF THE SUPERNATURAL, 2018 Blown and carved glass 24 x 10 x 3.5 in.
5. BLACK RAVEN, 2019 Blown and carved glass 17 × 7 × 9 in.
16/17. THE MOSQUITO, 2019 Blown and carved glass 17 x 22 x 6 in.
6. THE SHAPE REMAINS THE SAME, 2016 Cast and carved glass 14 x 11.75 x 11.25 in.
18. LONG SNOUT, 2013 Blown and carved glass 24 × 10 × 4.5 in.
7. OF THE WORLD, 2019 Blown and carved glass 21.5 x 12 x 3.5 in.
19. LITTLE WING, 2018 Blown and carved glass 22 × 10 × 7 in.
8/9. FIRE HAWK, 2019 Blown and carved glass 16 x 20 x 7.75 in.
20. LEAVING THE GROUND, 2018 Blown and carved glass 31.25 × 13 × 4 in.
10/11. TRANSFORMING KILLER WHALE, 2018 Cast lead crystal 35.5 x 10 x 10 in.
21. MOTHER BASKET, 2012 Blown and carved glass 21.5 x 19.5 x 19.5 in.
12. POOL OF ETERNITY, 2019 Blown and carved glass 25 × 11 × 11 in.
22. FOG WOMAN, 2018 Limited edition cast bronze 36.25 x 12.75 x 9 in.
13. IN FROM THE STORM, 2018 Blown and carved glass 24 x 8 x 4 in.
23. THE FOREST LISTENS, 2018 Blown and carved glass 15 x 14 x 4 in.
Photography: Russell Johnson
Preston Singletary The art of Preston Singletary has become synonymous with the relationship between European glass blowing traditions and Northwest Native art. His artworks feature themes of transformation, animal spirits and shamanism through elegant blown glass forms and mystical sand carved Tlingit designs. Singletary learned the art of glass blowing by working with artists in the Seattle area including Benjamin Moore and Dante Marioni. As a student and assistant, he initially focused on mastering the techniques of the European tradition. His work took him to Kosta Boda (Sweden) where he studied Scandinavian design and met his future wife. Throughout his 30+ years of glass blowing experience, he has also had opportunities to learn the secrets of the Venetian glass masters by working with Italian legends Lino Tagliapietra, Cecco Ongaro, and Pino Signoretto. In 2010, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Puget Sound. Now recognized internationally, Singletary’s artworks are included in museum collections such as The British Museum (London, UK), The Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA), The Seattle Art Museum (Seattle, WA), the Corning Museum of Glass (Corning, NY), the Mint Museum of Art and Design (Charlotte, NC), the Heard Museum (Phoenix, AZ), and the Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC). Singletary maintains an active schedule by teaching, lecturing and exhibiting internationally. In 2009, the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA, launched a major mid-career survey of his work, entitled “Preston Singletary: Echoes, Fire, and Shadows”. In 2018 he opened a monumental narrative exhibition with the Museum of Glass, titled “Raven and the Box of Daylight”, the exhibition, which will travel nationally, pushes the boundaries of glass as a medium for storytelling.
PRESTON SINGLETARY THE ILLUMINATED FOREST APRIL 4 - 27, 2019 TRAVER GALLERY TRAVERGALLERY.COM
110 UNION STREET, #200 SEATTLE, WA 98101 206.587.6501 TRAVERGALLERY.COM