(SANTA ANA, CA) – An exhibition featuring the creative talents of professional Orange County artists specializing in the use of hot glass makes a luminous debut at John Wayne Airport in a new exhibit titled 'Hot Glass/OC' through October 2021. Guests who visit the Vi Smith Concourse Gallery in the Terminal can view multiple examples of colorful and innovative glass-related artwork.
Hot Glass/OC Art Exhibit in the Vi Smith Concourse Gallery
Lawrence Armstrong AMOR -1.0 Layered Glass
LAWRENCE R. ARMSTRONG is a talented glass artist and an accomplished architect, designer and CEO of an international architecture firm. His work is an exploration of the concept of layers. He works with glass layers that are placed one after the other, with a delicate feeling and a strong composition.
Jill Cooper 3D GRAPE CLUSTER Fused Glass 2020
JILL COOPER layers individual pieces of cut opalescent, transparent, crushed and powder glass in a pattern, fired multiple times to create clusters of flowers and fruits with their very own texture and presence.
Leslie Davis BUSHIDO Fused Glass with Cold Steel 2009
LESLIE DAVIS is an accomplished glass artist who, through glasswork, presents a synthesis of artistic and scientific perspectives. Created especially for this exhibit, “Rainforest” is one of three pieces dedicated to the old living ecosystems, as biodiversity on earth depends on them are key to survival. It is made of borosilicate glass, Plexiglas, and topography maps.
Craig French SPLITTING HAIRS Glass, Aluminum, Wood 2020
CRAIG FRENCH is a neo-constructivist sculptor, whose brilliant, lyrical pieces have gained an international audience. Glass, along cast resins and sheet metals are laboriously cut, lathed and polished into fanciful shapes. His works are included in corporate and private collections in the USA and abroad.
Gavin Heath RAZINA-EXOTIC Glass 1995
GAVIN HEATH is profoundly influenced by the Ndebele culture. He was born in Cape Town, South Africa and grew up with the tribal youth. His work is primitive within the playful mediums of blown glass, sculpted glass and painting.
Kent Kahlen ARCHEOLOGICAL SERIES - LIDDED VASE IN RED Blown Glass, Steel Base
KENT KAHLEN has a passion for glass blowing and says: “It requires years of practice to be proficient. I wonder how mixing soda lime and silica and introducing them to 2300 degrees Fahrenheit completely transforms sand into a clear colored pliable liquid.” Wrapping a thick band of clear glass around a bubble and heating it to a stick leaves a heavily textured surface that bends light in many ways. This is the technique that he chose to work with on his “Convolutions Series,” one of several pieces in this exhibit.
Gina Lunn HORIZON Aqua-Amber 2020
GINA LUNN says: “Having been fortunate enough to study under Italian masters, I have absorbed age-old techniques, learning very quickly the importance of structure and design. Combining these traditional techniques with a more contemporary style I create glass that is both beautiful and timeless.”
Jason & Nicole McQuaid TURTLE CORAL 2020
JASON AND NICOLE McQUAID have been working together in the glass studio for over a decade. They complement each other’s work: Jason’s sense of design has the ability to create a dramatic visual while Nicole delicately details the work. Their singular technique is using a torch at the furnace. They have created artwork that is included in private and public collections.
Jon Oakes LIDDED VESSEL Glass 2020
JON OAKES creates unique designs that combine opaque, transparent crackled glass, and colorful murrine and cane, influenced by his time in Italy observing Venetian glass techniques. Preparing the glass, complete with colors and design details, and then submerging the molten vessel into cold water achieves the crackled finish. Then, blowing into the bubble, the cracks open up exposing color from the underlying layer.
Siân Poeschl FORGET ME NOT Fused Glass 2021
SIÂN POESCHL says: “My wall sculptures are inspired by my English heritage and some include the poetry and writings of my great grandfather. Having trained in the United Kingdom, it was in Laguna Beach where I undertook a fused glass apprenticeship. As my work evolves, my technique becomes more complicated, my designs more personal and I continue to find new ways to express myself through fused glass on differing scales.”
Maggie Spencer ART IN ROUND FORM Kiln-Formed Glass 2018
MAGGIE SPENCER’s fused glass artwork is inspired in organic form, as well as impressionist and abstract art, but her work is a whimsical expression unique to her. She fires her kiln every day, experimenting and observing how the glass reacts with other objects, such as copper, steel and basic elements. By continually learning new glass techniques, Maggie keeps her artwork evolving, energetic and exciting.
Siemon & Salazar Sunrise Glacier Extra Tall Triangle Vase - 2017 - Glass
SIEMON & SALAZAR is a design studio created by Caleb Siemon and Carmen Salazar. The duo has been collaborating making blown glass art since 1999. The studio’s aesthetic reflects the evolved craftsmanship of the Muranese tradition, the balance and restraint of the Scandinavians and the love for California culture and style. “Glassblowing is a team sport”, says Caleb, “It requires a united effort from multiple people to create one design, whether it is a bud vase or a large intricate installation.”
Mia Tavonatti POTENTIAL Mixed Media 2019
MIA TAVONATTI divides her time between mural painting and glass mosaics for which she is internationally renowned. She has exhibited her work for 35+ years in museums, public and private collections in the US, Europe, Middle East and South America. Mia has taught painting at Laguna College of Art+Design in Laguna Beach for 20+years where she and her students have been responsible for the creation of eight public glass murals.
Hiromi Takizawa WILDERNESS
HIROMI TAKIZAWA was born and raised in Nagano, Japan. She is fascinated by the inherent nature of glass: an earthy material made out of sand, and its transparency, reflectiveness, and fragility. She manipulates glass with heat and her breath. She has served as a faculty member specializing in Glass at Saddleback College in Orange County, California State University at San Bernardino, Alfred University, NY and Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, WA.
David VanNoppen DOUBLE INCALMO BOWL Glass 2018
DAVID VANNOPPEN says: “Learning to master glassblowing demands patience, flexibility and a vision. For me, it also captures the wonder of spontaneity, often eclipsed in the hurried pace of everyday life.” A graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, he broadened his skills with post-graduate hot glass work at the Penland School of Crafts, The Pilchuck School, and Venetian Glassblowing at The Corning Studio.
Elijah Wooldridge MONSOON SEASON Hand-Blown Glass (Frosted) 2018.jpg
ELIJAH WOOLDRIDGE is a Southern California multi-disciplinary artist that works with glass, wood, metal and resin. He helps the severe mentally ill with art therapy, housing and medication. His goal is to provide attention and support for the community with guidance, insight, empathy and encouragement.
As guest curator for the exhibit, Antoinette Sullivan's career spans more than 30 years, curating art for prominent Orange County restaurants including Bistango and Bayside and assisting artists in promoting and exhibiting their art in alternative spaces. Understanding the challenge that artists encounter in finding opportunities to showcase their work, Sullivan assembles 17 professional artists in this unique exhibit featuring molten glass artwork.
"Hot Glass is not a common medium of expression, and it requires remarkable creativity, patience, innovation, and passion," said Sullivan. "It is an honor to bring together a group of amazing artists and provide an opportunity for passengers to view vibrant artwork filled with color, shape, and imagination as they travel through the Terminal."
Artists featured in the Hot Glass/OC exhibit include:
|
Lawrence R. Armstrong |
Gina Lunn |
Mia Tavonatti |
|
Jill Cooper |
Jason and Nicole McQuaid |
Hiromi Takizawa |
|
Leslie Davis |
Jon Oakes |
David VanNoppen |
|
Craig French |
Siân Poeschl |
Elijah Wooldridge |
|
Gavin Heath |
Maggie Spencer |
|
|
Kent Kahlen |
Siemon & Salazar |
|
Hot glass art uses high temperatures that can reach up to 2,000° Fahrenheit. The viscous glass can be blown, sculpted, or cast molded to create sculptures, ornamental pieces, and more.
The exhibition is located on the Departure Level (post-security) across from Gates 2 through 5 in Terminal A, Gates 18 through 21 in Terminal C, and the free-standing display cases across from Gate 14.
For more information about John Wayne Airport's Art Programs, visit www.ocair.com/travelers/dine-shop-relax/relax/arts-program/.