exhibitions
John Kiley

John Kiley

Towers

Oct 1 - Oct 31 | Opening Reception: October 1, 5-8 pm
Traver Gallery is pleased to present Towers, an exhibition of new large-scale glass constructions by Seattle artist John Kiley. In this, his tenth solo exhibition at Traver Gallery, Kiley continues to push the boundaries of glass as a sculptural medium. Ranging from three to seven feet in height, the six unique Towers presented in this show significantly extend the artist’s exploration of color, transparency, light, balance, and volume.

 

Though recognized internationally for his contemporary blown glass sculpture, John Kiley has recently spent less and less time in the hot shop. Since debuting his Fractograph series in 2016, he has embraced a self-defined studio glass practice rooted in concept and informed deeply by a studied approach to and comprehension of the material. Using primary geometric forms as the architecture for his glass sculptures, Kiley constructs his Towers using blocks of polished optical glass. The glass elements, weighing up to 80 pounds each, are stacked atop one another and balanced on edge, appearing to defy gravity.

 

At first look, Kiley’s Towers reveal a radical simplicity: elegantly stacked chromatic blocks rise as figures, or architecture, creating a landscape within a space. However, it is in the reviewing – the repositioning of oneself in relationship to them – that they expose themselves more completely. Their intricacy resides in the mutable qualities that occupy them inherently: shadow, reflection, chromatic overlay, transparency, opacity, and light. Kiley’s towers invite the viewer to enter a liminal space, where color and light have weight and volume and where reflection and prisms give way to deep pools of color and shifting horizons of light.
MARIGOLD TOWER | 32452
MARIGOLD TOWER | 32452, 2020
glass
76"h x 19"w x 18"d
pricing available upon request
MIDNIGHT TOWER | 32459
MIDNIGHT TOWER | 32459, 2020
glass
64.5"h x 32"w x 2"d
SOLD
AMBER AND AQUA TOWER | 32460
AMBER AND AQUA TOWER | 32460, 2020
glass
65"h x 24"w x 3.25"d
SOLD
1/5

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.