The Museum of Glass (MOG) in Tacoma, Washington is the West Coast’s largest and most active museum glass studio. One of the recent MOG exhibitions was Transparency: An LGBTQ+ Glass Art Exhibition which features works by glass artists from the LGBTQ+ community. The exhibit is a celebration of identity and freedom that showcases the diverse subjects, methods, and styles of the artists.
According to the display:
“Transparency strives to emphasize the importance of being transparent and honest about identity, a hallmark of liberty and creative freedom. The works featured were chosen by the artists themselves, and in keeping with the spirit of self-advocacy and creative self-expression, all of the words that accompany the exhibition are their own.”
Transparency was organized by the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia. Shown below are some of the pieces from this special exhibit.
Shown above is Where We Hide From No One, made in 2017 by American artist Tim Tate (1960- ). Cast Poly-Vitro, glass, and video.
Shown above is We Rose Up, made in 2017 by American artist Tim Tate (1960- ). Cast objects, mirrors, and LED lights.
According to the display:
“The reason that I am so focused on these new endless mirror pieces is that they create a space that doesn’t exist. Those long five-foot tunnels you see in front of you can’t possibly be real, and yet there they are, stretching impossibly off into the distance. And what lies in these non-dimensional spaces?”
Another view of We Rose Up.
Another view of We Rose Up.
Shown above is To Signal To Summon, made in 2016 by American artist Kim Harty (1983- ). Glass and mixed media.
According to the artist:
“My piece, To Signal To Summon, is a sculpture that is ambiguous; it’s an attractive sparkling object, but also a reflective warning. Is it signaling danger, or trying to seduce?”
Shown above Untitled from the Homage Series, made in 2017 by American artists Sabrina Knowles (1955- ) and Jenny Pohlman (1960- ). Sculpted and polished glass; steel.
Another view of Untitled from the Homage Series.
Another view of Untitled from the Homage Series.
Shown above is Untitled (J), made in 2016 by American artist Carmichael Jones (1960- ). Cast glass, alloys, and steel.
Shown above is Pink As In Revolution, The Wheel of Liberation Series, mad by American artists Sabrina Knowles (1955- ) and Jenny Pohlman (1960- ). Sculpted and polished glass, metal, and beads.
Shown above is Signs and Signifiers, made in 1015-2019 by American artist (1982- ). Fused and engraved glass; metal.
According to the artist:
“Signs and Signifiers is meant to reference a collection of family photos. Each hand representing a different person, and a different record of lived experience—some young, some older. Each hand has an image in the middle.”
A detail from Signs and Signifiers.
A detail from Signs and Signifiers.
A detail from Signs and Signifiers.
A detail from Signs and Signifiers.
A detail from Signs and Signifiers.
Shown above is What affects one affects us all, made in 2014 by British-American artist Niki Hildebrand (1978- ). Glass casting in neodymium (rare earth metal), glass.
Shown above is Curaҫao, made in 2003 by Italian artist Lino Tagliapietra (1934- ). Blown glass with inciso cutting.
Another view of Curaҫao.
More museum exhibit photo tours
Museum of Glass: Radiator caps by Lalique (photo diary)
Museum of Glass: Some Lalique vases (museum tour)
Museum of Glass: Specere Element by Wes Valdez (photo diary)
Museum of Glass: Fluent Steps (photo diary)
Museum of Glass: The Art of Being (photo diary)
Museum of Glass: The Art of Being (photo diary)
Museum of Glass: Kids Design Art (photo diary)
Museums 101: The Museum of Glass (photo diary)