Artist of the Month

Jon Goldberg

Jon Goldberg lives a dual life.  His '9-5' work week is spent as a computer consultant, but evenings and weekends he pursues his passion: working with glass.  He founded the largest public-access glassblowing studio in Philadelphia.  This studio has become a focal point of the local glass community as a place where many glass artists create their work, teach the next generation and learn from each other.

Goldberg's work is a study in balance.  Minimal form is opposed by very complicated, layered coloration.  Transparent elements are balanced against the reflections and refractions created by thick-walled forms and facets cut into the objects' surfaces.  His pieces are suggestive of naturalistic ideas, but abstract enough to allow the observer to create their own interpretation of the world within the object.

The semi-random compositions seen in nature are fascinating to Goldberg.  Lightning zigzagging across the sky, tangled vines, ripples on a lake, striations in marble are inspirational in pattern and color.  He finds something profound in the contrast and tension created within simple shapes containing multi-layered, infinitely detailed coloration.

TAL: How and when did you start creating art?

JG : I 'discovered' glass in the late 90's.  A gallery focussing on contemporary glass opened across the street from my condo and I was intrigued by the expression and variation in the work and spent hours looking at their collection.  The curator at the gallery also taught glassblowing at a small glassblowing studio in the neighborhood and invited me to take a class.  I did, and then took another and another...  My studies continued at the Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass and now at my own studio.

TAL: What media and genres do you work in?

JG :

Although I work only in glass, my work incorporates elements and processes that cross many of the established boundries of the craft.  Many 'traditional' techniques are used, but with my own variations or combined in novel ways to create a unique end result.  I employ the following 'schools' of glassworking into my work:

Kilnforming - many of my pieces incorporate colored elements which are created in a kiln, melting together different colors of glass.

Offhand Blowing - My forms are made using primarily the traditional Venetian method of glassblowing.

Coldworking - Most of my work is modified after its been blown/shaped.  I cut the pieces and hand polish or sandblast the surfaces to emphasize or exaggerate the optical properties.

TAL: Who or what are your influences?

JG : I'm influenced by many of the masters of the studio glass movement.  Glass artists who have had a major impact include: David Huchthausen, Mark Peiser, Josh Simpson, Harvey Littleton, Christopher Ries and Maurice Marinot.

New inspiration is found every day; I make an effort to keep my eyes open to seeing things in a new way.  Much of my work references the natural world, and I always find new details in the world around me which end up in the work.

TAL: What was your inspiration for ""?

JG : "Lightning Thicket Sculpture 1" - This series is inspired by chaotic, turbulent weather.  I see the internal bubble as a representation of the world, surrounded by layers of swirling rain and hail and a single lightning strike running through the piece.  The facetting and thickness of the piece creates refraction and reflection that magnifies and repeats the coloration.

TAL: Describe your creative process.

JG : Evolution is the defining characteristic of my creative process.  I work in series.  As each series develops, there are aspects of the finished work that surprise me.  These aspects form the core for the next evolution.  Working this way creates an identifiable aesthetic to my work and a thread that connects my earliest work to the most current.  I will frequently drop or re-incorporate elements into my work or find new ways to apply previously used techniques as things evolve.

Because of the limited time I have to spend in the studio, I focus my energy on the ideas that are most interesting to me.

TAL: What are you working on currently?

JG : 'Total Internal Reflection' is a optical effect that occurs when a glass is cut with specific angles and facets.  When it occurs a polished surface on the glass will act as a mirror and reflect internal elements back towards the viewer.  I'm currently creating objects that use this effect as an artistic element.  I'm also studying the art of gemstone faceting to better understand and hopefully control the behavior of light within my pieces.

I'm been making an effort to break away from the functional form and create more expressive, sculptural work.  At the same time, scaling up the work, getting more ambitious with process and end-result.

TAL: What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

JG : The near term goal is to find an audience for my work, hopefully inspiring the viewers and creating objects which will exist in perpetuity as my artistic legacy.  Longer term, I would like to support myself with the artistic career, but only if I can do it on my terms.  I need to create work that is personally fulfulling.

TAL: Where can people view/purchase your work?

JG : My online portfolio is: http://www.eastfallsglass.com/jon
There is an excellent video showing some of my processes at: http://vimeo.com/10606880
A list of galleries is shown on the portfolio; I am actively seeking additional representation and welcome feedback from collectors and curators.

Artist of The Month Archives: