JOHN KILEY
Horizions
Traver Gallery is pleased to introduce this milestone exhibition, Horizons, by John Kiley. One of the most celebrated artists working in glass today, Kiley’s refined and detailed work employs a minimalist aesthetic along with considered technical glass-working expertise to engage a dialog of how light, line, form, transparency and reflection can define and defy our understanding of space. Using primary geometric forms as the architecture for his glass sculptures Kiley’s work explores the versatility, and mutability of glass, and with it, expands our view of the material as a sculptural medium.
In his words, “I began developing this new body of work called Horizons five years ago, following several years focused on my Fractographs. Like the Fractographs, each Horizon sculpture begins with a mass of optical glass that is ground and polished into a rectangle. However, with this new series, instead of shattering the glass, I cut each block into sections that abstractly reference the forms created when a block of glass is broken. Although the segments can be loosely reassembled into a rectangular form, they are intentionally made not to fit perfectly back together, making the negative space just as integral to the work as the structure itself. These compositions are moveable, offering opportunities for revision and interaction. How each individual segment stands, balances, or not, is determined only by how I draw the initial line. The final placement of the pieces is subjective – its iterations infinite- but every element remains part of a once clearly defined form that had a beginning and an end”.
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About
John Kiley - view profile
American, b. 1973, Seattle, USA, based in Seattle and San Francisco, USA.
John Kiley, a renowned artist at the forefront of contemporary glass sculpture, is known for his groundbreaking exploration at the intersection of sculpture, blown glass, and architectural forms. With a unique blend of technical expertise and artistic vision, Kiley’s work transcends boundaries with a dynamic interplay of light, structure, and spatial relationships.
Kiley’s affinity for glass was evident from an early age. As a teenager, he experimented with painting on glass. Later, he refined his skills through formal training and apprenticeships with master artists, including 16 years with Lino Tagliapietra, developing a deep understanding of traditional glassblowing and fabrication techniques.
Kiley’s sculptures frequently incorporate individual elements into larger frameworks, showcasing his meticulous attention to detail and risk-taking approach. Whether creating towering structures, intricate blown glass orbs, or delicately assembled shattered blocks, each series exemplifies his ability to seemingly defy gravity. Through this creative process, he explores the inherent tension between chaos and order, strength and fragility, resulting in works that evoke metamorphosis and the intrinsic beauty of imperfection.
In addition to his solo work, Kiley is known for his collaborative projects with architects, engineers, and other master artists, pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the realm of glass in sculpture. His willingness to experiment with scale, materials, and techniques have earned him widespread acclaim and recognition, with his work featured in galleries, museums, and public spaces worldwide.