An Opulent Visual Feast: Bri Chesler on "Untamed: The Anatomy of Desire"

Bri Chesler (American, born 1989). *Tickle,* 2022. Neon, glass, mixed media, and vinyl, 84 x 72 x 18 in. Courtesy of the artist. Photo courtesy of the artist

By Bri Chesler, Exhibiting Artist

Desire holds an indomitable sway over human existence, imprinting itself across our cultural tapestry and guiding our biological evolution. Our species has grown increasingly hedonistic, relentlessly pursuing fleeting pleasures in a quest to fill the voids that haunt us. In the midst of our abundance, we remain plagued by an insatiable emptiness, yearning for moments of intimacy that blend carnal desires with the hunger for empathy.

My sculptures draw inspiration from the untamed and sensual aspects of the natural world, abstracting forms found in biology and botany. They reflect society's fixations on beauty and desire. My aesthetic serves as an opulent visual feast, showcasing objects and textures designed to beckon viewers through visual seduction. Excessive textures and embellishments act as distractions from the raw, visceral contours, capturing the intoxicating allure of indulgence and the vulnerability it inflicts on our fragile nature. By creating sculptures that both play with and mock the viewers' inability to control their attraction, the awkward, comical, and grotesque facets of desire are unveiled through flirtations with the introverted perversions of being human.

Bri Chesler (American, born 1989). *Squirm,* 2021. Glass, mixed media, and LEDs; 56 x 48 x 21 in. Courtesy of the artist. Photo courtesy of the artist

Bri Chesler (American, born 1989). *Fun, Flirty, and Festering,* 2018. Glass and mixed media; 96 x 120 x 14 in. Courtesy of the artist. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Glass, celebrated for its inherent fragility, serves as a metaphor for the delicate equilibrium between pleasure and pain that is intrinsic to desire. Its ethereal transparency suggests both vulnerability and revelation, a duality that mirrors the human experience of exposing oneself to the heights of passion and the depths of longing. I delve into the visceral qualities of glass, extracting and emphasizing the emotional responses it evokes. The textures, forms, and contours of my sculptures are not merely visual elements; they are conduits for an intricate translation of the human condition's complex emotional landscape.

Adopting a multidisciplinary approach has afforded me the freedom to explore the boundaries of glass in unconventional and innovative ways. This exploration highlights its multifaceted nature, positioning glass not as an isolated medium, but in harmonious dialogue with other materials. By deconstructing and reassembling these elements, I emphasize their shared characteristics, crafting a cohesive expression that transcends singular material identities. This process creates an experience resonant with the chaotic beauty of nature, inviting viewers into a space where boundaries blur, mirroring the complexity and unpredictability of human desire.

In the Hot Shop

Bri Chesler came to the Museum of Glass Hot Shop in 2022 through the Visiting Artist Residency Program application. Her proposal was one of only a few selected from a pool of over 50 artist submissions. Some of the work visitors will experience in Untamed was made during that residency with the assistance of the Museum of Glass Hot Shop Team. The exhibition is a testament to the Museum’s unique ability to showcase contemporary artists creating art in our Hot Shop which can later be displayed in our galleries.

Chesler commented on her experience at MOG: “As an artist, you come to recognize that living a life of passion comes with significant sacrifice, imposing boundaries on your creative freedom. The opportunity to create work at the Museum of Glass is a rare moment when those limitations become minuscule. It is a chance to explore and bask in the true magic of being a creator, allowing you to cross thresholds into new creative terrains. The value of collaborating with the team at Museum of Glass extends beyond the creation of objects. It lies in realizing achievements unattainable alone and inviting others into the vulnerability and intimacy of the creative process.”

Untamed: The Anatomy of Desire is on view now through Spring 2025.