Carving the Past into the Future

PRESTON SINGLETARY Carving the Past into the Future

PRESTON SINGLETARY Carving the Past into the Future

“I see my work as an extension of tradition and a declaration that Native cultures are alive and developing new technologies and new ways of communicating the ancient codes and symbols of this land.”

Preston Singletary

S chant z Galleries c o n t e m p o r a r y

3 Elm Street, Stockbridge, MA 01229 413.298.3044 www.schantzgalleries.com On the cover: Eagle Basket, 2011 8 x 9 x 9”

Schantz Galleries Publication, 2011 Photography: Russell Johnson Media for all artwork is blown and sandcarved glass.

a r t

Eagle Box, 2007 58 x 16.5 x 16.5

Symbolic Wealth, 2009 56 x 32 x 2.25

PRESTON SINGLETARY Carving the Past into the Future

It has been exciting to witness Preston Singletary synthesize his upbringing in American Studio Glass movement and his Native Northwest Coast heritage. Preston entered the world of glassblowing as he worked alongside Seattle area artists Benjamin Moore and Dante Marioni. He also had opportunity to master the techniques of the Venetian glass tradition while working with maestro Lino Tagliapietra.

Growing up, Preston heard the traditional stories from his family which provide inspiration for his work, both of his great-grandparents were full-blooded Tlingit Indians. He has been inspired by Northwest Native iconography; supernatural beings, transformation themes, animal spirits, shamanism and basketry designs. Preston credits Northwest Coastal artist Joe David for helping him to take his work to a new level, one that is more spiritually based and culturally expressive.

Preston Singletary’s work is something of a phenomenon, drawing on the ancestry of the past while combining his innovative spirit of contemporary glass. His work pays homage to his forefathers, who feel that the past, present and future are intertwined.

This body of work is impressive in its scale. The technical combination of blown and sand carved glass demonstrates a firm control of the material. Creating the surface of Tlingit Basket forms is a time intensive process. Using masking material cut to the width of straw or grass, each layer is sandblasted and then remasked until the carved effect is achieved. In all of his sculptures the patterns and designs tell stories not for our minds to consider, but also for our hands as the work is so tactile.

Standing next to the immense shield Symbolic Wealth as it hangs on the wall, one is further impressed with its physical presence. Measuring 56 inches in height, this had to be a feat to cast such a large amount of glass. The man who would use this shield is sure to protect his people.

With works such as Blue Cormorant and Raven’s Adventures, Preston demonstrates his quest for innovation in form, design and his mastery of the blown glass medium. Each and every piece in this exhibit seems to pulsate with its own stories, but for us the Eagle Box glows with spirit and represents the very special gift we have received – the honor to exhibit this extraordinary art.

Jim Schantz and Kim Saul Summer 2011 Preston Singletary’s artworks are included in museum collections such as the National Museum of the American Indian, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Seattle Art Museum, Corning Museum of Glass, Mint Museum of Art and Design, Heard Museum in Phoenix and the Handelsbanken in Stockholm.

Eagle Warrior, 2011 20 x 14 x 14

Out of the Ocean, 2011 10.5 x 20 x 4.5

Majestic Swan, 2011 10.5 x 19 x 9.5

Sit ting Among the Birds, 2011

10 x 14 x 14

Metallic Basket, 2011 9.5 x 11.25 x 11.25

Metallic Tlingit Basket, Lake , 2011 11 x 15 x 15

Tlingit Basket - Sand, 2011 9 x 10 x 10

Raven’s Adventures, 2011 32 x 7 x 5

Raven at Dusk, 2011 16 x 9 x 3

Eagle in Flight, 2011 9 x 18 x 5

Monster of the Sea , 2011 18.5 x 11 x 3.5

Blue Cormorant , 2011 20 x 7.5 x 3.5

Just Before Raven Awakes, 2011 20.5 x 11.5 x 6

Ritual Cleansing, 2011 21 x 9 x 5.5

Wolf Called on the North, 2011 14 x 7 x 8 inches

PRESTON SINGLETARY

S chant z Galleries c o n t e m p o r a r y

a r t

3 Elm Street, Stockbridge, MA 01229 413.298.3044 www.schantzgalleries.com

PRESTON SINGLETARY

S chant z Galleries c o n t e m p o r a r y

a r t

3 Elm Street, Stockbridge, MA 01229 413.298.3044 www.schantzgalleries.com