Heart of Glass
Featuring the glass work of artists Russell Frye, Ira Lujan, and Adrian Wall.
Russell Frye
Animals and geometric patterns serve as the thematic foundation of my work. The inclusion of animals fosters a connection with viewers on a profound, yet subtle, level. Glass, with its futuristic allure, has always fascinated me, and this collection stands as a testament to the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary artistry. The integration of silver foil in my fused plates adds a distinctive touch. The process of crafting collages with silver, followed by the permanence achieved through firing, results in a unique visual experience. My color palette draws inspiration from pueblo pottery, rocks, and weathered surfaces, infusing each piece with a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. All fused glass plates come equipped with stands for wall mounting or placement on pedestals, offering flexibility in exhibition layout. Hand-blown vessels are ideally suited for display on tables or pedestals. I am eager to share this collection, where craftsmanship meets storytelling, and traditional elements converge with contemporary design. This exhibition promises a visual journey that invites viewers to connect with the familiar and explore the allure of glass as a medium of artistic expression
Ira Lujan Ira Lujan (Taos/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) learned glass blowing in Taos, New Mexico while apprenticing with glass artist Tony Jojola (Isleta Pueblo) in 2000. He also studied with noted glass artist Preston Singletary (Tlingit) at the Pilchuck Glass School in Snohomish County, Washington. He learned that it is possible to incorporate Native American subjects and influences with ancient techniques of glass blowing.
Adrian Wall is a sculptor from Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico. He received his BFA from the Institute of American Indian Arts in 2014. He has been sculpting since his late teens and has always had an affinity towards stone sculpture. While Adrian Wall’s primary medium is stone, he works with many materials, including clay, bronze, and glass. He has won several major awards in sculpture competitions across the United States and is a member of the Indigenous Sculptor’s Society, an elite group of Native American Sculptors dedicated to the advancement of stone sculpture. His work can be found in the museum collections of the Eiteljorg Museum, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Museum, and the Hauku Museum. Adrian has been the recipient of several fellowships including the National Museum of the American Indian Visiting Artist Fellow, School of Advanced Research’s Rollin and Mary Ella King Native Artist Fellowship and Southwest Association for Indian Arts Fellowship. The subjects of Wall’s sculptures most often relate to his Pueblo heritage. Stylistically, Wall is well known for blending figurative detail with abstract forms.
