About

I got involved in craft at 16 or 17 with metalsmithing, making jewelry and small objects from silver, brass, wood, stone and other organic materials. at age 25 I had the chance to play around with glass and was instantly drawn to the material with delight and intrigue.

Initially, the glass objects I made revolved around practicing technique. I was completely satisfied to produce an object with nice form and intriguing pattern and color. The common complaint was “its pretty” or “I like the colors”. Over time I became more amenable to Harvey Litteton’s refrain: “Technique is cheap”

Then one day, after 6 or 7 years of making pretty objects, i stumbled upon a dented soda can and decide to replicate it. The finished can spoke to me instantly. It was strange. It did not fit in with glass as far as I knew glass... It was an outsider. Everyone I showed it to had a curious face. I started to hear things like “It’s just a can?” or “Why would you make something you can just pick up in the street?” I dove in deep, mimicking every piece of trash I could find. water bottles, Coffee cups, energy drinks, cigarette packs, beer bottles, fountain cups with lids and straws and ice cubes, you name it.

at first I meant to try to replicate the objects with as much accuracy as I my skills would do. but As I made more and more trash, I was finding it unnecessary to follow the strict lines and shapes dictated to me by the actual trash. I became unconcerned with exactness.

The inconsistencies in form, scale, and detail gave the trash it own personality. Each piece of trash was individual, each one strayed in a direction I didn't quite understand. An inexact object made by inexact hands and an inexact brain. as I’ve witnessed people interact with the trash over the years, I’ve started to see that it exists on its own terms and claims its own ground. It speaks its own voice. People can’t quite place how they feel about it and can’t seem to square it or put in context.

many who see the trash want it to be simple. they sometimes see it as perfect in its shaping and looking exactly like a soda can or beer bottle despite it’s many inaccuracies. many viewers give the trash too much credit. they’ll let it look perfect to them. they want this trash to fit neatly in.

while some of the reactions I commonly hear are “Thats so cool. OMG” and “wow, they’re so realistic!” I remember that reaction from when I first made glass trash and first held it in my hand. but i’m quite a distance from that basic appreciation of the objects these days. the reaction i’m much more fond of is “why make such ugly objects?” or “who does this guy think he is just putting trash on a pedestal, thats not art.”

I’m finding out that this mimicry of trash demands deeper thought from the viewer and myself. Making the trash has led me into an interrogation of the life cycle of products made of plastic, glass, aluminum, wood, and paper. I’ve investigated laws and practices revolving around resource extraction, manufacturing processes, advertising, transportation etc. as well as the laws, regulations, lobbying, and other aspects related to the political. I’ve been forced to look more honestly at the impacts these objects of convenience have on labor, the environment, nutrition, and many aspects of human behavior.

This trash glass series has really changed how I see glass and the reasons why I make objects. It’s been a revelation to stumble upon a body of work to pursue that doesn’t just leverage the beauty of the material. I know now that I no longer need glamour, shine, pattern, or tradition when working with glass. In fact, I can dispense with those conventions at no peril to the finished work.