Vetri is pleased to present Nostalgia, Jason Christian’s third solo exhibition.
Inspired by the city that served as a backdrop to his development as an artist, Christian pays tribute to Seattle’s glass community with his most technically perfect works to date. Christian’s practice is both masterful and whimsical, combining classical Venetian techniques such as reticello and filigrana with more modern, playful forms.
This body of work honors the places and experiences that have shaped Christian as a glassblower and helped him hone his craft. Christian’s elegantly sculpted glass dragons are a fond reminder of his childhood days spent in Seattle’s International District, and a fitting memento of his birth in the year of the fire dragon. His signature Bumbershoots — or umbrellas — call to mind typical Northwestern drizzle. The playfully titled Yo-Yos are exemplary of the artist’s masterful understanding of scale, form, symmetry, and pattern.
Nostalgia pushes the limits of refinement to an entirely new scale for the artist. Christian’s creativity and passion for the medium creates a juxtaposition of old and new, honoring the masters who came before while serving as a benchmark for the next generation of glass artists.
Jason Christian was a 2019 Craftsperson in Residence at Pilchuck Glass School, and is an integral member of Dale Chihuly’s Boathouse team. He has collaborated with many renowned glass artists, including Pino Signoretto, Lino Tagliapietra, Martin Blank, Preston Singletary, James Mongrain, and Nancy Callan. Christian has also taught at Pilchuck Glass School, UrbanGlass, New York, and at the University of Texas in Arlington.
August Art Walk Opening Reception: Artist will be present