Events
On Left Elio Quarisa from Italy , Middle Edward Clark from Hawaii, and Right Alan Fine from San Francisco, are assembling along with others a large chalice consisting of 3 swans as a stem with 24 Karat Gold, cane incalmo bowl and cane foot. These are some of the final moments of making this piece. A classical form, with traditional techniques, this example of elegant stemware is made in only few places in the world, and most are only seen in museums. Here Elio, the descendant of centuries of knowledge, educates the Americans on the proper traditions of glass blowing at its finest. On a celebratory day, Edward and Elio combine forces to create this piece below.
Process of Creation:
Blown, Solid Sculpted, and Hot Assembled Glass.
16 inches tall x 6 inches round
June 18 2009
Left Edward Clark, Middle Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen, and her husband turning pole, Jasen Johnsen, as they make a final project with a carousel horse, with two dogs riding the horse. Karen, known for eccentric sculptures based on nature, completed an elaborate dog series a few years back. Normally each dog was a person she knew, and fit its own personality. Here we had her friend, a bulldog with a playboy tattoo on his rear, riding the carousel with a poodle on the pole. Karen was remembering the good old days as she sang along to her favorite tunes.
Process of Creation:
Blown, Solid Sculpted, and Hot Assembled Glass
21 inches tall x 13 inches wide x 12 inches deep
November 2008 Photo by Jaymie Lewis
Award Winner for 3D Honorable Mention at Da Kine, Local Perspectives, Honolulu, HI
All sorts of exciting things have happened this summer. Many shows, trips, and great work being made.
Edward Clark just got back from working with a world renowned glass maestro Elio Quarisa after the Glass Arts Society in Corning New York. There he studied Venetian Glass techniques from a master who worked for some famous glass blowers including the Barrovier, Toso, Venini, and many other Muranese Factories and Glassworkers from the time he was 8 years old (now he is 73) and passed down centuries of knowledge to Edward along with many other Americans.
Also in New York, the Glass Arts Society had their annual conference where Edward Clark met with artists from around the world to participate in panels, demonstrations, and events. He enjoyed Corning's Glass Museum, which was among the best glass collections in the world. Especially Intriguing was the contemporary exhibit of the Heineman Collection which even had a piece Edward coldworked for Martin Blank. The most exciting, however, was seeing the Blachka Brothers Marine organisms, where with lampworking and painting they created taxanomic replicas of organisms.
Even before that, last spring in Seattle, the Glass Capital of the world, Edward was fortunate to work with a couple, Karen and Jasen Willenbrink-Johnsen. This occurred just before he made a new body of sculptural work, and the attention to detail in some of the work was thanks to Karen's teachings. Karen and her Husband Jasen work as a team with a few other artists in Seattle, and are some of the best American Glass sculptors. They studied and worked with people like Pino, Chihuly, and made William Morris's work for years. The couple have been on the scene since the Art Glass Movement took off in America, and constantly make movements pushing hot sculpted glass glass into new directions, and encouraging us in the next generation to spread our wings. While in Seattle we were able to see other Glass workers and friends, along with making some work of our own.
In addition to working with the glass masters of the world, we had a few good shows.
The annual Hawaii Glass Artist Show just finished in Honolulu at Marks Garage.
We just returned from the Buyers Market of American Craft for the summer show. We had yet another wonderful show and met many new people. Looking forward to the next BMAC show in February 2010.
We also participated in a local Show Da Kine, Local Perspectives in China Town at Bishop Street Gallery. Our piece Shark Cruise to the left won an award for 3D Honorable Mention.
Another great year at Haleiwa Arts Festival on Oahu, Hawaii in July 2009, the only art and craft fair we do in the islands. Thanks again to all our clients; we could not do it without you. For those coming next year, we will come stocked well enough with pint glasses, since we have sold out every year on the first day. We did take orders, and appreciate our repeat buyers who have requested more of them. Thanks again for everything.
Edward Clark will be having another solo show in 2010 featuring our Reef Sculptures in Philadelphia, PA at Silica Galleries. We will keep you updated on the exact dates.