look forward

March 14 - April 5, 2009
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 14, 4 - 7 pm

Traver Gallery - Tacoma is proud to present LOOK FORWARD - a group exhibition curated by a selection of glass artists influential in bringing about the studio glass movement. Pairing these current masters with artists who they feel follow in their footsteps, the exhibit features work from 22 “emerging master” artists alongside work by the 17 recognized leaders who selected them. Sarah Traver, director of the Tacoma gallery says, “The show was conceived as a response to questions about the future. Where are we headed from here? The world of art glass is full of young innovators whose work we attempt to recognize and represent early. We found it fascinating to find out who the current masters think will be the next leaders in glass.”

Uniting the next generation of artists with the artists who established the art-glass movement, LOOK FORWARD highlights the immeasurable contributions of the masters and the enormous potential of the young artists who follow them. Selection statements written by the curating artists elucidate what they believe to be the defining characteristics qualifying these younger artists as “emerging masters”. Artist Therman Statom says of his selection Korbinian Stoekle, “Korbinian’s works made me reevaluate my own expectations of what I do as a visual artist. I sense a different way of seeing, or perceiving, and I find that refreshing. . . Korbinian redefines his past artistic vocabulary and creates a new language within itself on a piece-by-piece basis. I have a sense of wonderment with the ideas of why, what, and how the objects he makes materialize. I believe these processes are essential to all artistic growth.”

Young artists develop adventurous techniques and exchange new concepts, pushing forward the contemporary movement - contributions that signify their influence within the art glass community. The master artists who have mentored this second generation are uniquely able to recognize the significance of this growth. With selections from artists as diverse as Sonja Blomdahl, the de la Torre brothers, Tobias Møhl, and Therman Statom, LOOK FORWARD highlights the changing landscape of glass art around the world.

LOOK FORWARD will feature:
Sonja Blomdahl selects Oliver Doriss and Elias Hansen
Dale Chihuly selects James Mongrain
Einar and Jamex de la Torre select John Moran
Benjamin Edols and Kathy Elliott select Masahiro Asaka
Walter Lieberman selects Alex Stisser
Dante Marioni selects Jodi Salerno
Paul Marioni selects Chad Holliday
Richard Marquis selects Blaise Campbell and Amy Rueffert
Tobias Møhl selects Jeannet Iskandar
Benjamin Moore selects Sam McMillen
Nick Mount selects Brenden Scott French
Charlie Parriott selects Benjamin Cobb and Martin Janecky
Davide Salvadore selects Rick Eggert and Ethan Stern
Preston Singletary selects Marcus Amerman
Therman Statom selects Korbinian Stöeckle
Dick Weiss selects Bridget Boss and Paul Cunningham
Hiroshi Yamano selects Kentarou Senuma