“The pieces are a sincere attempt to mark the growth of my artistic practice, as well as, a sociological statement on human nature and our relationship with petroleum and energy consumption.”
Artist Statement
I have always been a reluctant glass blower. When I began working with hot glass in 1988, I was greatly concerned with the amount of fuel and energy, which was required to work with glass. The irony of calling glass a recycled material on one hand and the tremendous amount of natural resources used to produce the work made it hard for me to understand how some labeled it as a green industry. It’s not well known but early glass blowing factories were largely responsible for the deforestation of the European content and now there are no naturally standing forests left in Europe. Nonetheless, this two thousand year old art form has a rich and varied history. It was arguably responsible for the industrial revolution. As I studied its history I was in awe, humbled and honored that I could work with hot glass. Being a glass blower is a privilege and clearly the vocation required the utmost respect.
In 2002 I started this series of pieces, titled The Last Piece I Will Ever Make. The pieces are a sincere attempt to punctuate the growth of my artistic practice, as well as, a sociological statement on human nature and our relationship with petroleum and energy consumption. The theory of Peak Oil is a recurring theme, in which it is believed that when the peak out-put of total world oil reserves is reached that the price of energy will skyrocket. It was my believe that it may be at this point that it will no longer be feasible for artists to work with glass because of the exorbitant costs. Although I no longer entirely believe that this would come to pass, due to alternative energy sources, the reverence and responsibility of being a faithful steward of the craft remains.
I have always been a reluctant glass blower. When I began working with hot glass in 1988, I was greatly concerned with the amount of fuel and energy, which was required to work with glass. The irony of calling glass a recycled material on one hand and the tremendous amount of natural resources used to produce the work made it hard for me to understand how some labeled it as a green industry. It’s not well known but early glass blowing factories were largely responsible for the deforestation of the European content and now there are no naturally standing forests left in Europe. Nonetheless, this two thousand year old art form has a rich and varied history. It was arguably responsible for the industrial revolution. As I studied its history I was in awe, humbled and honored that I could work with hot glass. Being a glass blower is a privilege and clearly the vocation required the utmost respect.
In 2002 I started this series of pieces, titled The Last Piece I Will Ever Make. The pieces are a sincere attempt to punctuate the growth of my artistic practice, as well as, a sociological statement on human nature and our relationship with petroleum and energy consumption. The theory of Peak Oil is a recurring theme, in which it is believed that when the peak out-put of total world oil reserves is reached that the price of energy will skyrocket. It was my believe that it may be at this point that it will no longer be feasible for artists to work with glass because of the exorbitant costs. Although I no longer entirely believe that this would come to pass, due to alternative energy sources, the reverence and responsibility of being a faithful steward of the craft remains.