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| For as long I can remember, I have identified with the constant exploration involved in the creative process of creating three-dimensional artwork. As a sculptor, I can reach into experimental areas to take my work to places usually unseen. When I began making objects in glass, I saw the material as a translucent, invisible liquid that could be frozen at any moment forever. I learned how to handle the material through creating traditional functional wares. After a short time I began to realize a greater potential with the material, and personally felt motivated to push glass into more contemporary genres such as installation, photography, and performance. Although I continue to make glass objects within my larger pieces, I now find myself regularly using a wide variety of three-dimensional media including metal, wood, plastic, and wax, coupled with painted areas, digitally projected images, and neon used as two-dimensional backdrops to complete these installations.
As I go through the creative process, I tend to look at my work with three specific criteria: concept, craftsmanship, and presentation. In my experience, the best work starts off with an intriguing idea, which becomes flexible with the realities of thought, materials, and spaces. Usually I have a clear plan of approach when starting a new installation or series, though I usually do not have a set notion of the outcome. Often I will come to a point in the fabrication and notice something unexpected, which sends me off on a new project altogether. These events may send me back to the original concept to re-work the idea, or to the material itself for consideration. Even when I have completed the elements of a new installation, placing the work into a space can change the way things emerge and are read by the viewer.
An underlying concept that can be traced throughout the body of my work is that of human nature. On many levels, my work deals with technology and the effects of its pursuit on mankind. I am interested in the intentions and consequences of technological advances, and in presenting these ideas in formats that highlight their amazing aesthetics, the influence of these technological advances on our lives, and very often, their ridiculous nature.
My work is a quirky combination of humor and sensitivity, a notion evident on both large and small scales. I believe that if I can catch someone's attention with an element of an installation, the viewer will feel encouraged to examine the possibilities of the whole space. The relationships between the conceptual and formal elements of my installations push the viewer to consider multiple interpretations of the experience. This interactive quality allows me to challenge set notions of logic, scale, and perception within these spaces. I believe that having a direct readable message interferes with the viewers' ability to investigate and find their own logic for the piece. I have found that ambiguity and humor are the most valuable tools in creating artwork that is accessible to all types of people. |
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Education
- 2002 Tyler School of Art at Temple University, Elkins Park, PA Master of Fine Art, Glass Department
- 2000 New York State College of Ceramics, School of Art and Design at Alfred University Alfred, NY Bachelor of Fine Arts
- 1999 Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, WA Czechoslovakian Team Working Class
Teaching Experience
- 2005 New York State College of Ceramics, School of Art and Design at Alfred University
Alfred, NY Assistant Professor, 3/d-Glass Department
- 2003-5 Rosemont College, Rosemont, PA Adjunct Professor, Sculpture Department Development and teaching of Glassblowing and Glass Sculpture course through the use of The Crefeld School Glass Works facility
- 2003-4 Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA Adjunct Professor, Glass Department
- 2002-3 Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA Adjunct Professor, 3-d Foundations
- 2002-3 The Crefeld School, Chesnut Hill, PA Glassblowing Instructor
- 2002 Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA Instructor, Summer Glass Class
- 2001 Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA Teaching Assistantship, Glass Dept., Advanced Glass Class
- 2001 Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA Pre-college Workshop 3-d Instructor
- 2001 Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA Teaching Assistantship, Glass Dept., Intro Glass Class
- 2000 Buck’s Rock Creative Arts Camp, New Milford, CT Glassblowing Instructor
Professional Experience
- 2004 Washington University, Saint Louis, MO Visiting Lecturer
- 2004 Babbitt Manufacturing, Vineland, NJ Sheet metal fabricator
- 2003 Doug Ohm Equipment, Millville, NJ Glass Studio Equipment Builder
- 2003 Tulane University, New Orleans, LA Visiting Lecturer/ Workshop with Jon Clark
- 2003 Bucks County Community College, Bucks County, PA Visiting Lecturer
- 2001-2 Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA Glass Shop Technician
- 1999 Fosdick-Nelson Gallery, New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred, NY Installation Crew
Awards
- 2004 Glass Art Society Emerging Artist Award, International Juried Competition Presentation given at the 2004 G.A.S. conference in New Orleans, LA
- 2003 Creative Glass Center of America Fellowship, Wheaton Village, Millville, NJ
Three month creative fellowship
- 2003 Contemporary Glass Philadelphia Grant, Philadelphia, PA
- 2001 Published Profile, Glass Art Society International Newsletter
- 2001 Contemporary Glass Philadelphia Grant, Philadelphia, PA
- 2001 Horizon Award Nomination, New York, NY American Craft Museum
- 2000 Corning Scholarship Nomination, Seattle, WA Pilchuck
Exhibitions
- 2005 Dynamic Glass, Invitational show
Noyes Museum of Art, Oceanville, NJ
- 2005 Quantum, Collaborative Installation with Jon Clark
Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE
- 2004 Sticks and Stones, The Making of a Sculpture Garden
Outdoor Installation Group Show Philadelphia, PA
- 2004 AHEAD, Invitational group show Bahdeebahdu Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
- 2001-04 The Goblet Show The Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
- 2003 Space Chickens, Solo Exhibition Lawrence Gallery, Rosemont College, Rosemont, PA
- 2002 National Liberty Museum Auction Philadelphia, PA
- 2002 MFA Exhibition
Temple Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
- 2001 Juicy Lightness, Invitational show
Penrose Gallery, Tyler School of Art , Elkins Park, PA
- 2001 Centennial Crafts Exhibition, Juried show
Providence Art Club, Providence, RI
- 2001 The Future is Now, Juried show
Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE
- 2000 Temple Gallery, Group Show, Philadelphia, PA
- 1999 Goblets Invitational,
Glasshouse Studios, Seattle, WA
- 1999 Glass Works Invitational, Norfolk, VA
- 1998 Works by J. Michael, Sarah, & Angus Powers. A Family Affair, Genesee Community College, Batavia, NY
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