John Kiley: Structure
December 19, 2013 – January 12, 2014
Artist’s Reception: Thurs., Dec. 19, 7-9pm
Gallery Hours: Wed.-Sat. 10am-5:30pm,
ArtWalk Thursdays 10am-5pm & 7-9pm
LewAllen Galleries Scottsdale presents John Kiley: Structure, an exhibition of glass sculpture by one of the most exciting glass sculptors working today. Recognized for the exceptional formal refinement of his blown, carved, and polished glass, Kiley has earned many of glass art’s most esteemed distinctions since his career’s inception at age 19. Trained at the Pilchuck Glass School and the Penland School of Crafts, Kiley worked for Dale Chihuly’s studio at the age of 21 and he travelled to Finland, Ireland, Mexico and Italy as part of the Chihuly Over Venice Team. He was a principal member of Lino Tagliapietra’s team until 2011 and he has been a teaching assistant to Lino Tagliapietra, Dante Marioni, Benjamin Moore, Richard Marquis, Josiah Mcelheny, Checco Ongaro and Ben Edols.
Extending the lineage of these foremost innovators in his glass sculptures, John Kiley examines the relationship between interior and exterior forms in his work, often diluting the boundary between the two. His sharp eye for both color and transparency allows him to create surfaces that blur gradients between hues—cutting spheres and dying segments to poise several colors adjacently and to achieve a dynamic spectrum of tinged light that responds readily to shifts in viewing position. Equally notable for their rigorously harmonized spatial organization, his compositions are characterized by interlocking volumes with extreme technical precision. A master of blowing and sculpting glass, Kiley strives “to create objects that push the material beyond its simple inherent beauty.”
The artist says of his work: “Constantly, I ask myself the question why do I choose to work with glass? Transparency, optics, the physical challenge, or a primal fascination with fire, are valid reasons that many glass objects are created. For me, it is important that these material attributes work in service of the sculpture, rather than be the reason for the sculpture. I am drawn to how glass, and its perceived delicacy and preciosity, can create a sense of tension, concern and longing in the viewer (and myself). The final decision I make before a piece is complete is how it will be situated. During this final step, there is a moment when I don’t know for sure if it will survive or lie broken on the studio floor. It is in this final step that each piece finds its own unique balance; it is in this moment that the sculpture emerges and comes to life.”
John Kiley is the Glass Director for the Schack Art Center, in Everett, WA. He is the recipient of the prestigious Artist Residency for the year of 2010 at the Tacoma Museum of Glass, where he has was the recipient of the “People's Choice Award" at the annual Museum Auction. His art has been exhibited internationally, and he has taught glassblowing at the National College of Art and Design in Ireland, the Bezalel Academy of Arts in Israel, The Pittsburgh Glass Center and Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle. He has worked and demonstrated in Finland, Ireland, Mexico, Italy, Japan, Bulgaria, China, Australia, Brazil and Turkey.