William Morris1996

William Morris is one of the most original and daring glass artists in America today. Taken as a whole, the Artifact series of the past seven years looks like one long and extraordinary archaeological dig. Inspired by Paleolithic images, Morris says that he creates artifacts that he himself would like to excavate. His glass sculpture, composed of bold shapes, rich colors, and evocative textures resonates with primordial power. In his essay, Gary Blonston describes the development of Morris's early career and discusses some of his recent pieces. He goes on to explain the collaborative process Morris has developed with his studio assistants. Robert Vinnedge's photographs of Morris's artwork convey the drama of each object, while Russell Johnson's photographs of Morris and his assistants at work in the studio capture the excitement of the creative process.