The Museum of Glass (MOG) in Tacoma, Washington is the West Coast’s largest and most active museum glass studio. Shown below are the works of a few of the artists displayed in MOG.
Harvey K. Littleton (American, 1922-2013)
According to the artist:
“The method used by the contemporary artist is a constant probing and questioning of the standards of the past and the definitions of the present to find an opening for new form statements in the material and process. It is even said that this search is an end in itself. Although knowledge of chemistry or physics as they apply to glass will broaden the artist’s possibilities, it cannot create them. Tools can be made, furnaces and annealing ovens can be built cheaply. But it is through the insatiable, adventurous urge of the artist to discover the essence of glass that his own means of expression will emerge.”
Shown below is Witch of Agnesi II made in 1980 with barium/potash glass with multiple cased overlays of Kugler colors: ruby, blue, opal white, white center line.
Dale Chihuly (American, born 1941)
Shown below is Cadmium Orange Macchi Set with Windsor Emerald Lip Wrap made in 1986 with blown glass, applied lip wrap.
Shown below is Raw Sienna Macchia with Deep Red Lip Wrap made in 2002 with blown glass, applied lip wrap.
Shown below is Black Basket with Cobalt Lip Wrap made in 2006 with blown glass, applied lip wrap.
Magdalene Odundo (Kenyan, born 1950)
According to the artist:
“My ceramics have always been vehicles for containment; they have been personal statements about what it is to be human. Glass as a material is more illusive [sic]. Like a mirage it creates an optical illusion. It is simultaneously transparent and solid, fragile and strong, like water, it is neither here nor there.”
Shown below is Transition made in 2011 at MOG with blown glass.
Sonja Blomdahl (American, born 1952)
According to the artist:
“My technique allows for rich, brilliant colors—joining two colors, mixing two colors inside and out, making three bubbles so than an inside color is revealed on top, pulling up the mouth to give greater access to that color.
Color for me is a matter of mood rather than meaning.”
Shown below is Apricot/Clear/Teal made in 1997 with blown incalmo glass.
Eric Hess (American, born 1962)
Shown below is Father made in 2013 with kiln-cast glass, antique faucet handles.
Nancy Callan (American, born 1964)
Shown below is Captain America II made in 2014 with blown glass.
Kalt Rhoads (American, born 1968)
Shown below is Meandering Stream made in 2004 at MOG with blown glass, murrine pick-ups.
Eric Franklin (American, born 1974)
According to the artist:
“I’ve always thought that the ionized gases give the pieces a certain life. They bring some dynamism to an otherwise relatively static piece. I learn something new about the medium every time I create a piece. I am able to make some guesses as to where the color will be brighter or dimmer, or which areas will come out blue or orange, but it can never be completely predicted. It’s really kind of a relief that it works this way. This type of glassblowing is so premeditated and controlled. The introduction of the noble gasses adds an element of surprise of mystery. It’s always so exciting when I get to see the light rush into a piece and watch it come to life.”
Shown below is Trunk made in 2003 with lampworked glass tubes incorporating interactive neon.
Mel Douglas (Australian, born 1978)
According to the artist:
“Objects and drawings are often thought of as two separate entities. My work explores and interweaves the creative possibilities of this liminal space, where the form is not just a support for drawing; but a three-dimensional drawing itself. Using the unique qualities of the material and the rich potential of mark making on and with glass, I am using line as a way to inform, define and enable three-dimensional space.”
Shown below is Ballast made in 2013 with blown, coldworked, and engraved glass.
Armelle Bouchet O’Neill (French, born 1980)
Shown below is Kasyu made in 2013 at MOG with blown, etched, and sand-carved glass.
Joshua Hershman (American, born 1981)
Shown below is Capture made in 2019 with glass, vintage tripod.
Ronnie Phillips (American, born 1983)
Shown below is Untitled made in 2017 with blown glass.
Brandon Robinson (Glass Munky) (American, born 1986)
Shown below is Hawaiian Reefscape made in 2019 with flameworked borosilicate glass.
More art museum photo tours
Museum of Glass: Some Lalique vases (museum tour)
Museum of Glass: Perfume bottles by Lalique (photo diary)
Museum of Glass: Human figures by Lalique (photo diary)
Missoula Art Museum: Burnt Fossils (photo diary)
Missoula Art Museum: United by Atrocity (photo diary)
Museum of Glass: Indices del Pacifico (photo diary)
Portland Art Museum: Isaka Shamsud-Din, Black artist (museum tour)
DreamWorks: Some concept art (museum tour)