PRISM
Contemporary Glass, the gallery known for introducing the brightest
new artists to established collectors is now looking to turn the tables,
and introduce itself to a new generation of collectors, with its upcoming
exhibition, START.
START is geared toward a new audience, one perhaps not as familiar with
exceptional sculptural possibilities of glass. Prices for established
artists working in glass have skyrocketed in recent years, often leaving
those not yet in their peak earning years unable to participate in this
vibrant, dynamic segment of the art world. We feel there is ample excellent
work at reasonable pricepoints for the beginning collector. Accordingly,
the exhibit will feature more-accessible works in glass: Prices
will range from under $200 to just over $2000; more than 40 works by
nearly 20 artists!
Glass is one of the most common materials, yet, as the objects in this
exhibition reveal, it can also be one of the most versatile and exotic,
assuming an extraordinary range of physical properties and appearances.
Some artists working today engage the transparency and sheerness of
glass to create sculptures of pure geometrical form, like the laminated
works of Anna
Lee Chalos-McAleese. Others, such as
Danielle Blade & Stephen Gartner, are drawn to glass, which
is made from sand and other minerals, to emphasize its natural, even
primal qualities and its origin in the earth.
Glass has a unique affinity for exquisite coloration and tonal nuance,
and numerous artists working in contemporary glass evince an essential
interest in color. In this exhibition, Ethan
Stern, Bridget
Boss,
Newman/Ciancibelli, Doug
Randall and Martha
Croasdale all use a painterly approach to their sculpture, making
strong but very different statements with color. In particular, Ethan
Stern uses additive then subtractive processes to create works that
range from monochrome and tonal studies to bold and striking compositions
grounded in the tradition of the vessel.
At the other end of the spectrum, utilizing pure form, with an absence
of color, the works of Cali
Balles and Beth
Fishman both make use of light, one relying on shadow and
refraction, the other on reflection and translucence to define the sculptural
space.
The decorative impulse is a primary motivation for many glass artists
who are virtuoso technicians and create highly embellished forms with
often whimsical designs – the playful, oversized fish
lures of Chicagoan Ian
Duncan fit this category, as do the elegant, gilt vessel forms by
David
Hering and the carved & sculpted vessels by Andrew
Wu.
In contrast to such assertively decorative artists, others are more
patently concept-oriented in their work, such as Etsuko
Ichikawa, who uses molten glass to scorch paper
– effectively painting with fire, and Brent
Cole, whose wall-mounted panels are assemblages of other sculptural
objects, creating one larger, more conceptual work from a number of
smaller, more discreet elements.
START will open on February 2, 2007, with a free public reception
from 5-9pm.
The exhibition is scheduled to run through March 30.
ABOUT
THE GALLERY:
Founded in 2004, PRISM’s focus is on emerging and established
(but under-represented) artists, innovative processes and cutting-edge
techniques- yielding artworks from sensual to architectural. Rather
than show the same 20 or so artists that "everybody else"
does, PRISM will feature tomorrow’s "stars"… today,
at a variety of pricepoints.
The gallery is about access… Access to the next generation.
Gallery
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 6pm, other times by appointment.
Image Inquiries: 312-243-4885 or email:
amy
IMAGE ATTACHED
(Click here)
Artist: Calie Balles
Title: "Reeds"
Medium: Blown Glass, sandblasted, fire polished and assembled
Dimension: 6 x 9 x 3 inches
Price: $1350
