The town of White Mills in the US state of Pennsylvania is currently hosting an exhibition by renowned glassware artist Christoper Ries.
The display, which is on at the Dorflinger Glass Museum, showcases Ries’ talents at crystal glass engraving and sculpture using unusual methods to create works in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Using large blocks of clear lead crystal sourced from an optical glass manufacturer, Ries has sculpted and engraved many works including Opus, a 680kg circular piece that refracts light at multiple angles to trick the eye. At the time of its creation, Opus was the world’s largest monolithic sculpture. The piece has since sold for over £300,000.
Ries also makes many smaller works, some which resemble sophisticated glass awards. The University of Wisconsin Master of Fine Art has utilised cutting, engraving and acid etching into crystal glass to produce works that feature in many museums and fine art collections around the world. Many examples of his work can be found in the online catalogue of the company, which supplies his glass media and for who he works as an independent ‘artist in residence’.
Dorflinger Glass Museum CEO James Asseltine said of the display:
“We are thrilled to have Christopher Ries’ exhibit here. His artistry is really remarkable in terms of design and execution of his works.”
The artist will give a lecture on his work at the Dorflinger on Saturday, August 11. The exhibition at the Dorflinger runs until September 4.
