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.
"I was fascinated by the movement of hot glass, the way it captures light, and the potential of creating Native Art with this exciting new medium. I shape and sculpt glass using the ancient techniques passed down from Italian glass blowers. Using these techniques I then started to experiment with the hot molten glass using the designs from my Taos Pueblo culture. Then my work took on new forms of purpose and direction.
Through collaborating and teaching glass with other Natives, I have been inspired by the movement and the story it tells is same as the pueblo culture reflects a unique visual language that I have connected to. This interaction has inspired my own work.”
