Counterparts: Glass + Art Elements

April 2, 2021 — March 13, 2022

Exhibition Overview

Counterparts: Glass + Art Elements discusses creative expression through groupings of glass and non-glass artworks. Exploring the seven elements of art: color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value, this exhibition examines the evolution and acceptance of glass as an artistic medium. Much like a blown glass vase holding a bouquet, juxtaposed with a still life painting of a similar vase with flowers, Counterparts compares disparate media expressing a common theme.

New mediums in fine art often struggle to find acceptance. A process for making and working glass had to be developed and evolve before it could become a material for the artist. Since our Neolithic ancestors first painted on cave walls or carved idols from animal horns, painting and sculpture have been accepted forms of Art. The ascension of photography from documentary process to art form occurred in the early twentieth century — and glass is not far behind, rising from functional to art in about 70 years.

Today, glass art is countering the implicit hierarchies of the art world. Just as artists are open to diverse and varied techniques — often incorporating methods regardless of medium — Counterparts seeks to erase ingrained artistic-medium divisions, presenting all manner of glass and non-glass artworks side-by-side.

Counterparts presents art-medium inclusivity in the twenty-first century. Art will always be in our lives: an inspiration, curiosity, and an invitation to explore. This exhibition seeks to encourage a continuing conversation in how art is evolving through the juxtaposition and association of artworks inclusive of all mediums.

It is all ART!

This exhibition includes works by Alfredo Arreguin, Nancy Blair/Rick Bartow, Sonja Blomdahl, Eduárdo Calderon, Francis Celentano, Dale Chihuly, Michael Dailey, Marita Dingus, Mel Douglas, Eric Franklin, Sarah Gilbert, Tali Grinshpan, Henry Halem, Beulah Hyde, William Ivey, Ingalena Klenell/Beth Lipman, Dominick Labino, Jeremey Lepisto, Stanislav Libenský/Jaroslava Brychtová, Harvey Littleton, Alden Mason, Robert Motherwell, Magdelene Odundo, Kit Paulson, Kait Rhoads, René Rickabaugh, Judith Schaechter, Dirk Staschke, Therman Statom, April Surgent, Lino Tagliapietra, Cappy Thompson, Gail Tremblay, Gerard Tsutakawa, Veruska Vagen, WD 40+ ( Walt Lieberman/ Dick Weiss).

Featured Images

Image Credits

Cappy Thompson (American, born 1952). Blue Sun, Made at the Museum in 2012, Completed 2013. Viterous enamel reverse painted on blown glass; 20 3/4 x 12 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. Collection of Museum of Glass, gift of the artist. Photo by Lynn Thompson.
Alfredo Arreguín (Mexican, born 1935). Triste Frida, 2004. Oil on canvas; 48 × 30 in. Courtesy of the artist.
Kit Paulson (American, born 1981). Globe de Mariee III, 2014. Lamp-worked glass and furnace glass, mirror, and copper; 12 x 6 in. Collection of Museum of Glass, gift of the artist.
Gail Tremblay (Mi'kmaq and Onondaga, born 1945). As the Arctic Ice Melts, Waters Will Flood the Land, 2018. 16mm film, green, blue and white leader, silver braid; 10 1/2 × 7 × 7 in. Courtesy of the artist and Froelick Gallery.
Jeremy Lepisto (Australian and American, born 1974). Each Unto Its Own, made at the Museum in 2009. Blown and enameled glass with fabricated steel; 16 3/4 x 8 x 8 in. Collection of Museum of Glass, gift of the artist. Photo by Paul Foster.
Stanislav Libenský (Czech, 1921—2002) and Jaroslava Brychtová (Czech, 1924 – 2020). V-Column, 1989–2009. Cast glass; cut and polished; 64 15/16 × 12 5/8 × 7 7/8 in. Collection of Museum of Glass, gift of Randall and Joyce Lert. Photo by Duncan Price.
Tali Grinshpan (American/Israeli, born 1972). Seeds of Hope, 2019. Pâte de verre, gold leaf, collected organics; 3 × 48 × 48 in. Courtesy of the artist and Bullseye Projects.
Therman Statom (American, born 1953). Indices del Pacifico, 2000. Glass, paint, and found objects; approx. 72 x 144 x 3 1/2 in. Collection of Museum of Glass, gift of Ralph and Eugenia Potkin. Photo by Duncan Price.
April Surgent (American, born 1982). The Valley, made at the Museum in 2013. Cameo-engraved glass and steel; 17 3/4 x 15 x 2 in. Collection of Museum of Glass, gift of the artist.
Veruska Vagen (American, born 1954). Betty. Dot de verre; 17 1/2 × 11 1/2 in. Courtesy of the artist.