Book description
A world-class colorist of international standing in modern glass,
Stephen Rolfe Powell creates his work in a quiet outpost of rural
Kentucky. His art and his life bridge other such divides. The radiant
murrini skins of his glass vessels have an old Italian pedigree, yet
his making techniques are radically American in their dramatic
individuality. He is an award-winning classroom professor and a
generous ambassador for glass, yet he is at the same time so
uncompromising in his dedication to his creative work that he stands
among modern glass's most nuanced seekers after the eternally sensual
and elusive mysteries of light and color. An illustrated chronicle of
Powell's glass-blowing career, this book charts the evolution of
Powell's remarkable body of work. Dazzling photographic close-ups
detail the luminous murrini patterns that have become Powell's
signature and reveal new ways of appreciating the complex interplay of
color and texture in his art. Biographical and analytical essays by
Mark Lucas, Laurie Winters, and James Yood explore such topics as the
teamwork that is critical to Powell's unique glass making process; his
teaching and learning experiences on the road, from the former Soviet
Union to Salt Lake City during the Olympics; and the story of the two
freak injuries that deeply affected his work and how he thinks about
it. Reflections by Kenn Holsten, Marvin Lipofsky, Dante Marioni,
Bonnie Marx, John Roush, and Lino Tagliapietra further supplement the
book. The book's stunning photographs encourage the viewer to see
Powell's work from different viewpoints, highlighting the unique
interactions of transparent, opaque, and translucent glass and
Powell's bold color combinations. Stephen Rolfe Powell: Glassmaker
vividly portrays the tension and excitement involved in the artist's
nontraditional, team approach to working with molten glass.
""The book's power lies in an expert use of photography-
huge, many full-page, in your face (10"x12") photos, minute
photos- stunning an emotional photos, biographical and insightful
photos. A stunner of a book."" -- Glass Focus
