
What's the most nagging item on your "To Do" list? Maybe you've been meaning to clean out the garage or organize your sock drawer, and just haven't been able to accomplish it for whatever reason. I've got a list of artists and crafters a mile long that I want to write about on Extreme Craft, but I want to put the proper effort into the articles and not natter on about sock drawers. The artist at the top of this list is Judith Schaechter--the world's finest living glass artist. I would also add the titles of National Treasure and pioneer of Extreme Craft.
I first encountered Schaechter's work on the cover of ex Wall of Voodoo singer Andy Prieboy's 1991 EP "Montezuma Was a Man of Faith". The image burned itself into my brain, and I followed Schaechter's career from that point on. One of my biggest regrets is not having seen her work in person. Schaechter works with "flash glass", which involves fusing very thin veneers of brightly colored glass to other layers of pale glass. Schaechter sandblasts, etches and paints the individual pieces, creating a layered effect that explodes onto your retinas. The layered pieces are then put together with other pieces using traditional copper foil and solder techniques.
Glass artists are seduced by light like ceramic artists are seduced by mud and fire. Most glass artists make work that is either too introspective and navel gazing or vapid and lightweight. Schaechter is a prism through which centuries worth of stained glass art is refracted into a jarring alternate world of alienated or marginalized figures trying to make sense of the world around them. Medieval cathedral expectations are twisted into shockingly relevant and touching art.
The figure is central to Schaechter's work, drawing viewers into an empathetic relationship with the characters on the glass. All of the seeming misanthropy of Schaechter's work is leavened by the stunning beauty of the glass. The pieces are presented as lightboxes that reach out and demand attention. Schaechter embraces the concept of beauty, which is often overlooked (or treated with outright hostility) in the art world. Her love of decorative art only adds depth to her work.
Free News Projects in Philadelphia just published a signed limited edition monograph of Schaechter's work from 1983 to 2006. It's called "Extra Virgin: The Stained Glass of Judith Schaechter". You can order it directly from Free News HERE. The folks at Free News sent me a press kit with a few galley pages from the book, and I can attest to the monumentality of what they have achieved. There are mind-blowing detail shots, which help to do justice to the original pieces. The scale and attention to color will make this book a valuable addition to your library.
Tomorrow also marks the opening of her new show at the Claire Oliver Gallery in New York. The show, which is titled "Burning Inside" will be on view through November 10th. There is also a book signing on Octoer 13th, starting at 2 pm and ending at 4 pm. Schaechter also gives a fantastic interview. If you're interested in learning more about her worldview, check out this article in NeuesGlas and this interview with Free News.
Most importantly, get to Claire Oliver to see this show while you can. You'll never view glass the same way again.
LINK to show LINK to book