The Vibrant World of Jamie Harris: A Fusion of Art and Light
EGW GLOBAL MAGAZINE
ART DE VIVRE
Step into the captivating world of contemporary art with Jamie Harris, a visionary artist whose mastery of glass sculpture and lighting design transcends convention. Through a fusion of vibrant colors, fluid forms, and innovative techniques, Harris invites you to explore a world where creativity knows no bounds. Join us as we explore the intricate process behind his acclaimed Infusions series and illuminate the transformative power of light in his latest lighting sculptures. Prepare to be mesmerized as we uncover the artistry and innovation that define Jamie Harris's extraordinary oeuvre.
Jaime Harris approaches his craft with the mindset of a painter, infusing his glass sculptural work with bursts of vibrant color that evoke visceral emotional responses. His creations are not merely static objects; they are dynamic expressions of movement and light, capturing the essence of the glassblowing process in each meticulously crafted piece.
At the heart of Harris's artistic vision lies a profound appreciation for process. His fascination with the intricate techniques of glassblowing fuels his experimentation and drives him to continually push the boundaries of his medium. Through a meticulous process of layering and manipulation, Harris transforms molten glass into mesmerizing works of art that defy conventional categorization.
Central to Harris's recent explorations are his Infusion Block sculptures and wall panels. Drawing inspiration from the Italian tradition of incalmo, Harris employs a fusion of color and form to create captivating compositions that play with light and shadow. Each piece is a symphony of hues, seamlessly blending transparent washes with saturated tones to create a visual experience that is at once captivating and immersive.
In addition to his sculptural work, Jaime Harris has also ventured into the realm of lighting design, seamlessly integrating metal framework with organic glass to create bespoke pieces that redefine the concept of illumination. His lighting collection is a testament to his innovative spirit, combining geometric precision with fluid forms to produce fixtures that are as functional as they are sculptural.
What sets Harris's lighting designs apart is his meticulous attention to detail and his willingness to embrace experimentation. By harnessing the transformative power of heat, he imbues his creations with a sense of dynamism, allowing light and color to interact in unexpected ways. The result is a collection of luminaires that transcend the boundaries of traditional design, offering a glimpse into a world where art and functionality converge.
As we navigate through the tranquil beauty of luxury in this spring issue, Jaime Harris's work serves as a beacon of creativity and innovation. His ability to merge tradition with modernity, form with function, speaks to the timeless sophistication that defines the world of contemporary art.
Interview: Unveiling the Creative Mind of Jamie Harris
EGW: Jamie, what inspired you to conceive the Infusions series?
Jamie Harris: My work has long involved layering color in the hotshop, using a complex glassblowing technique where one colored bubble is overlaid over another, and my love of that process and of the fluid motion that the color fields exhibit when molded and shaped at 2000 degrees drove me to develop the Infusion series. My goal is to create a sophisticated abstract painting in 3-dimensional color that captures and conveys the way molten glass transmits color.
EGW: For the series, you have invented a process that combines glass-blowing and kiln casting. What was the process of evolution like and did you face any challenges?
Jamie Harris: The process started with rule-breaking! Glassblowing and glass-casting are such different techniques, with such different technical requirements that they traditionally use different types of glass. My innovation was in shaping the glass at the furnace, to capture in the glass the movement of the molten glassblowing process, and then use the resulting glass solid element as the source of my final cast piece. I have had a long learning curve in trying to predict how the color fields will move in the 2nd heat treatment, and a lot of scientific experimentation to determine what colors will work. Some pieces don’t survive the process—the glass used in glassblowing isn’t designed to be melted again in a kiln, and as a result some colors cause cracking and other failures.
EGW: Where do you draw inspiration from for your creations?
Jamie Harris: I constantly look for inspiration, often in paintings, but I try to keep my color thoughts fluid. I often come into the studio with a planned impression of how I want to build a piece, but allow the vagaries of the hot-working process to help direct my final decisions.
EGW: When did you first encounter the traditional Italian-glass ‘incalmo’ format? Why did you choose it as a muse and how do you reinterpret it?
Jamie Harris: I remember learning the “incalmo” technique of glass more than 20 years ago at a master-class workshop taught by glass artist Katherine Grey. I immediately connected it to my long-time love of Rothko’s work. In glassmaking, it is a traditional Venetian technique, used in blown glass to create blown vessels in multiple colors. But I’ve re-interpreted the process by applying it to solid-glass, combining it with other methods of shaping and sculpting the glass, and using it as the vocabulary in which I build my solid glass “paintings” from.
EGW: How did you come up with this sculptural expression that embodies a flow and movement in the glass?
Jamie Harris: So much of my work is defined by my love of the process. The work is most successful for me when I can capture in the final piece that flow that is part of the complex dance of the glassblowing process, and the way the 2000-degree colors glow and mutate while cooling as you shape the glass at the furnace. At my core, I still connect to the teenage version of myself that first fell in love with glassblowing, the sport, dance, and technique of the craft, and that feeling still connects to my work.
EGW: Your oeuvre comprises sculptures and lighting design. What were the challenges in combining the two in your recent lighting sculptures?
Jamie Harris: In my recent lighting pieces, I aim to bring the same painterly sense of color exploration to the illuminated sculptures. The biggest challenge is in how light changes the piece! Suffusing the glow of light through the glass causes the colors to be blown out and muted, and the challenge is in combining pieces to create the color effect I am after. Similarly, as my pieces have grown in scale and complexity, the challenge has been in building up larger “canvases” and successfully tying the piece together to create the color effect I am after.
EGW: The sculptures are conceived in a spectrum of colors. What is the thought that goes behind the choice and combination of colors?
Jamie Harris: For me, colors have emotional resonance, and I constantly seek to combine them in ways that convey an abstract and strongly emotive feeling. My color sensibility changes constantly—the way I approach a new piece now will be different than even a year ago.
EGW: You mention the unpredictability that is intrinsic to your process. How has your approach evolved?
Jamie Harris: I’ve spent much of the last exploring translating the Infusion Orb pieces into a pendant. It’s been a massive challenge, to master how light transforms the solid glass when illuminated, and I’m just finishing the first pieces ready to show in this work. I’m really excited by the new work and eager to see where I take it as I start making more of them.
To experience Jamie Harris's captivating creations firsthand, visit his website at www.jamieharris.com and follow him on Instagram at @jamie_harris_studio for the latest updates and insights into his artistic journey.
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