Michael Glancy, American, born 1950. Sterling Convergence, 2002. Engraved blown glass, engraved industrial plate glass, copper, silver. 8 1/2 × 12 × 12 in. (21.6 × 30.5 × 30.5 cm). Courtesy of the Isabel Foundation L2017.53

Hybrid: Glass + Metal

February 16, 2019 - June 16, 2019

Harris - Burger Gallery

Glass and metal may seem like an unexpected pairing but they are not as different as you may think. Both are fundamental elements in our everyday life. While once considered precious, in the industrial era, glass and metal are mass-produced. Although artists still use these materials to create intriguing artwork, industrially made objects have lost some of their exquisiteness. Nevertheless, things began to change among artists who strongly believed in the value of the handmade object. Disenchanted with the impersonal, mechanized direction of manufacturing, they sought a new path through materials like glass, metal, ceramic, and wood.

Closing soon, the artworks in this exhibition illustrate the vast possibilities of these two materials, from cast to blown glass and from forged to electroformed metal. Each object embodies a dynamic synergy that could not be achieved if the materials were used independently.

From the Exhibition

  • Albert Paley, American, born 1944. Half Twist, 2001. Steel, hot-worked glass. 89 3/4 × 19 × 14 inches. Courtesy of the Isabel Foundation, L2017.5

  • Mary Shaffer, American, born 1947. Ledge Mamoure Blue, 2001. Steel, slumped fused glass. Dimensions: 79 × 11 7/8 × 12 7/16 in. Courtesy of the Isabel Foundation, L2017.113

  • Richard Ritter, American, born 1940. Floral Core Series #53, 2003. Gathered glass with murrine. inclusions, cast glass, copper electroforming. 15 × 17 3/4 × 10 3/4 in. (38.1 × 45.1 × 27.3 cm). Courtesy of the Isabel Foundation L2017.103

  • Bella Feldman, American, born 1930. He, 2004. Blown glass, bronze, steel. 87 1/4 × 36 1/2 × 12 3/4 in. (221.6 × 92.7 × 32.4 cm). Courtesy of the Isabel Foundation L2017.40

  • Ginny Ruffner, American, born 1952. The Phases of the Moon Flower, 2000. Blown glass, stainless steel. 48 × 42 × 32 in. (121.9 × 106.7 × 81.3 cm). Courtesy of the Isabel Foundation L2017.105

  • Howard Ben Tré, American, born 1949. Two, 2002. Cast glass, lead, pigmented waxes. 60 × 29 1/2 × 15 1/2 inches. Courtesy of the Isabel Foundation, L2017.15