Morgan Bogart’s stunning glass work is currently on display in our Artist Spotlight section. We are thrilled to share her intricate and beautiful pieces!
ARTIST STATEMENT
While in school, and throughout my glass career, my personal work has centered largely around memories and my environment. In school I focused on childhood memories, many of which were about family. Once I got out on my own, the glass I was creating moved away from the highly conceptual and more towards the decorative. Recently, I’ve been trying to find a balance. The vessel is a remarkable canvas and many times it’s overlooked within the art community. I’ve been taking my memories and experiences of growing up around lakes, oceans and forests and working on translating those colors and textures into blown glass forms.
One of the most unique traits of glass is its transparency and the ability to layer and create depth within the glass. Through experimentation with traditional glass blowing and cold working techniques, I’ve been working on patterns that mimic the strong memories I have. Memories such as looking through the water at the rocks below, of the way the algae moves on the surface of a pond, the texture and feel of bark, and other glimpses of tranquil moments while interacting with nature.
Giving the viewer a sense of a moment in time, allowing them an opportunity to connect with you and reflect on their own experiences, this is important to me. I want them to be able to look past the utilitarian aspect of the glass and really look at the object and the story it tells. Many of the patterns I’ve been working on contain layering, saturation of color, texture and the use of light. Combining all of these elements and then applying them to a simple, recognizable shape not only makes for a beautiful object but also a relatable one.
WHEN DID YOU BEGIN MAKING ART?
As a kid I was constantly drawing, cooking, repainting furniture, etc. So I guess I would say from my earliest memories. It just seemed like a natural conclusion when I became an adult that I would be a maker for a living.
WHAT DOES YOUR WORK AIM TO SAY?
I think, as with most people, work changes over time. Currently I am making objects that speak to the effects that humans are having on the lakes and oceans.
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
I love several artists but I am most recently influenced by Nancy Callan (https://nancycallanglass.com/) and Clare Belfrage (http://www.clarebelfrage.com/).
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
The world around me. I take a lot of influence from memories of playing outside and growing up on the Great Lakes as well as nature and the patterns which naturally occur.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF ARTWORK THAT YOU’VE CREATED?
Currently it’s the piece called Rooted which is at the Gallery. Being a glass artist, I don’t tend to get too attached to work because of the fragility of the material. Due to this, favorites come and go with me.
HOW DO YOU WORK? WHEN DO YOU FEEL MOST CREATIVE?
I tend to have ideas when I’m walking, or currently I drive to Toledo every week to blow glass. It’s about 2 hours each way so I have lots of time to think. As for actually working, I prefer mornings. I’m most energized then and glass blowing is very physical.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ARTIST TOOL? IS THERE SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IN YOUR STUDIO?
For me, it’s the whole studio. I have to have a bench, reheating chamber, furnace, tools to get the glass out and shape it, etc. There isn’t much that’s superfluous in a glass studio.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN A WORK IS FINISHED?
When it looks complete. That there are no unfinished surfaces, no chips or loose ends. If a viewer is distracted by the way that something is put together, then it’s not finished.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT?
I was working at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington for my professor, and the studio has a Jumbotron and cameras all over so the audience can see everything that’s going on. I wasn’t aware of the location of the cameras….. so I was assisting my professor and bending over the bench a bit. I looked up at the Jumbotron and it was just by butt, in my baby blue pants, all across the tv screen. I was all of 22 and absolutely mortified.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ARTIST JUST STARTING OUT?
If you have to rely on your art to pay the bills you won’t make your best work. It will require you to focus on what sells and not what you are actually making. I really do recommend having another job, whether in the art world or not, so that when you do work you can focus on the piece. Making it big in the art world is as easy as becoming a movie star, so focus on making your best work and putting a voice out in the world that you’re proud of.
Thanks, Morgan! Come check out her art on display through June.
We are open Friday 5PM – 8PM, Saturday 4PM – 7PM, and Sunday 1PM – 4PM.
Interested in being in our Artist Spotlight? Send us your work!
We are looking for 2D and 3D artists to feature a selection of their work on a 3-month rotation.
Check out previous Artists here!