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Traditional images in contemporary art
November 09, 2007
Contemporary Tlingit artist Preston Singletary will discuss his work on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 1:45 p.m. in the Regency Room of the University Center.
Singletary is a Native American of the Tlingit nation, an American Indian people living on the southeastern coast and islands of Alaska. He will present a slideshow of his work and discuss his use of traditional Tlingit images and styles within the contemporary medium of glass.
Born in San Francisco in 1963, Singletary began blowing glass right out of high school. He was educated at the Pilchuck Glass School, founded by Tacoma glass artist Dale Chihuly and patrons Anne and John Hauberg, and studied with a number of master glass artists, including Italian artist Lino Tagliapietra.
Most of his first work consists of European inspired decorative art pieces. Eventually, he came across a catalog about the modern art movement and “primitivism,” specifically how modern art was influenced by art of primitive societies.
In his artist statement, Singletary said this revelation was a turning point for him. His work began to take on a more figurative and narrative style with a new intent and brought him back to his family, society and cultural roots.
Singletary creates unique sculptures, which are influenced by the stories and images of his people and their tradition in art. Since 1989, he has taught, lectured and exhibited internationally, and is well known and respected for his impressive glass forms utilizing layering and etching techniques that he developed.
He was recently awarded the Rakow Commission from the Corning Museum of Glass, along with the Mayor’s Award for Diversified Arts in Indian Art NW in Portland, Ore.
Singletary’s work can be found in numerous collections and museums, including the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY; the Ethnographic Museum in Stockholm, Sweden; Heard Museum of Art in Phoenix; Museum of Fine Arts in Boston; the Seattle Art Museum in Seattle; and The Museum of Natural History in Anchorage.
Born in San Francisco in 1963, Singletary began blowing glass right out of high school. He was educated at the Pilchuck Glass School, founded by Tacoma glass artist Dale Chihuly and patrons Anne and John Hauberg, and studied with a number of master glass artists, including Italian artist Lino Tagliapietra.
Most of his first work consists of European inspired decorative art pieces. Eventually, he came across a catalog about the modern art movement and “primitivism,” specifically how modern art was influenced by art of primitive societies.
In his artist statement, Singletary said this revelation was a turning point for him. His work began to take on a more figurative and narrative style with a new intent and brought him back to his family, society and cultural roots.
Singletary creates unique sculptures, which are influenced by the stories and images of his people and their tradition in art. Since 1989, he has taught, lectured and exhibited internationally, and is well known and respected for his impressive glass forms utilizing layering and etching techniques that he developed.
He was recently awarded the Rakow Commission from the Corning Museum of Glass, along with the Mayor’s Award for Diversified Arts in Indian Art NW in Portland, Ore.
Singletary’s work can be found in numerous collections and museums, including the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY; the Ethnographic Museum in Stockholm, Sweden; Heard Museum of Art in Phoenix; Museum of Fine Arts in Boston; the Seattle Art Museum in Seattle; and The Museum of Natural History in Anchorage.