Preston Singletary

Artist Statement

"When I began working with glass in 1982, I had no idea that I'd be so connected to the material in the way that I

am. It was only when I began to experiment with using designs from my Tlingit cultural heritage that my work

began to take on a new purpose and direction.

Over time, my skill with the material of glass and traditional form line design has strengthened and evolved,

allowing me to explore more fully my relationship to both my culture and chosen medium. This evolution, and

subsequent commercial success, have positioned me as an influence on contemporary indigenous art.

Through teaching and collaborating in glass with other Native American, Maori, Hawaiian, and Australian Aboriginal

artists, I've come to see that glass brings another dimension to indigenous art. The artistic perspective of

indigenous people reflects a unique and vital visual language that has connections to the ancient codes and

symbols of the land, and this interaction has informed and inspired my work.

My work with glass transforms the notion that Native artists are only best when traditional materials are used. It

has helped advocate on behalf of all indigenous people -- affirming that we are still here -- that we are

declaring who we are through our art in connection to our culture.

My work continues to evolve and connect my cultural perspective to current modern art movements, and

I have received much attention for striving to keep the work fresh and relevant. I have been honored that my

success has inspired other artists from underrepresented indigenous cultures to use glass and other nontraditional

materials in their work, and hope that I can continue to encourage more innovation in this area as my

career progresses."

Bio

The art of Preston Singletary has become synonymous with the relationship between European glass-blowing traditions and Northwest Native art. His artworks feature themes of transformation, animal spirits, and shamanism through elegant blown glass forms and mystical sand-carved Tlingit designs. 

Singletary learned the art of glass blowing by working with artists in the Seattle area including Benjamin Moore and Dante Marioni. As a student and assistant, he initially focused on mastering the techniques of the European tradition.

His work took him to Kosta Boda (Sweden) where he studied Scandinavian design and met his future wife. Throughout his 30+ years of glass-blowing experience, he has also had opportunities to learn the secrets of the Venetian glass masters by working with Italian legends Lino Tagliapietra, Cecco Ongaro, and Pino Signoretto. In 2010, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Puget Sound.

Now recognized internationally, Singletary’s artworks are included in museum collections such as The British Museum (London, UK), The Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA), The Seattle Art Museum (Seattle WA), the Corning Museum of Glass (Corning, NY), the Mint Museum of Art and Design (Charlotte, NC), the Heard Museum (Phoenix, AZ), and the Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC).

Singletary maintains an active schedule by teaching and lecturing internationally. In 2009, the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA, launched a major mid-career survey of his work, entitled Preston Singletary: Echoes, Fire, and Shadows. This exhibition featured Clan House, his largest commission to date, and traveled to venues across North America.