glass art
Web Site
(617) 739-1160
ARTIST STATEMENT
I'm happy in the rich, associative world of recycled glass, especially bottles, and other found objects, and focused on that most conventional quality of glass, its transparency. Not flat, not round, my work might be called glass relief.
I like things that are funny. If my glass makes someone laugh, that's good. I use recycled materials, including bottles, plates, wood windows, and construction scrap to make residential sized panels and commissions. I'm self taught in glass, but my uncle, Richard Bassett was an artist and encouraged me to paint and draw when I was young. A clever and generous man, Joseph LeBeau worked for my grandmother and made wonderful toy machines from scrap wood, recycled nails, and left over house paint. He gave these toy machines to any kid who wanted them. I think I learned from Joseph LeBeau the joy of making things, the possibility of using recycled, discarded materials, the possibility of making something from nothing, and the fun of sharing.
Since 1967 I worked as a carpenter. Before that I was an architectural draftsman. I've done glass since 1979. If there is consistency in what I make it is in the re-use of old stuff. I’m interested in the richness of shape and texture of glass produced by slumping and fusing. I do panels for windows, commissions, and glass that can be shown on interior walls and doesn’t need strong backlighting.
If you are John Bassett you can edit this post
