JOHN DE WIT
John de Wit’s artistic process allows him to fuse his knowledge of international ceramic traditions with his skill as a glassmaker, creating pieces that are recognizably his own. Focusing on texture and color, his sculptures often involve a variety of materials; charred wood as a backdrop for a glass scepter, a copper-wire-wrapped branch topped with a found doorknob. The results are bold, visceral pieces that redefine traditional boundaries. De Wit takes us out of our comfort zone with glass, reimagining the application of venetian techniques to create works that are elaborately made yet exuding a wildness not often seen in the medium.
De Wit studied at the American River College in Sacramento, CA, before going on to obtain a BA in Sociology from California State University, Chico, CA, where he also attended Graduate School, studying Ceramic and Glass Design. De Wit furthered his glassblowing knowledge working with Dale Chihuly at Pilchuck Glass School, in Stanwood, WA. He has shown his work internationally, including at Pavillon Josephine, Strasbourg, France; Centre Européen de Recherches et Formation aux Arts Verriers (CERFAV), Vannes-le-Châtel, France; and Cheongju International Craft Biennale, Cheongju, South Korea. His has featured at SOFA Exposition, Chicago as well as at galleries across North America. De Wit has taught as an instructor and visiting artist around the world, and his sculptures are part of collections including Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, WA; Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA; Boeing Corporate Headquarters, Chicago, IL; Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY; and Niijima Contemporary Glass Museum, Tokyo, Japan.
