Jonathan Andersson
Jonathan Andersson comes from a tradition of glass making documented for at least six generations. From a very early age he would help his father in his trade, which has now become his own. While he values
this history and embraces the value of fine craftsmanship, his aim is to go beyond the accepted and expected to transcend tradition in order to create something new, something fresh--something with modern day meaning yet retaining ancient material magic. He creates glass sculpture which embraces the 21st century while not denying the value of history.
Before the Romans invented blowing as a manufacturing process around 2000 years ago, glass was made in a kiln. Due to the efficiency of blowing, kiln forming glass rapidly lost popularity and many of the methods used were lost. Recently however, there has been a resurgence amongst artists. Jonathan is one such artist who uses this time consuming and contemplative process.
Inside the kiln a form is created by hand using specialized refractory material. Essentially a sculpture is created in the kiln which will allow the glass to take it’s shape and then be destroyed, leaving the glass form in its place. Chemically the glass is known as “Soda Glass”, in that it is entirely lead free. The firing process takes around 3 days. Once cool the piece is removed from the kiln, cleaned of all waste refractory material and sandblasted.
To add to the aesthetic of the glass form, Jonathan then adds metal to each piece. First a fine layer of silver is attached, then copper is electroformed on this, adding texture and increasing the sculptural integrity. The copper is then patinated to add color then polished and sealed. Each piece is created entirely by the hand of the artist.
Jonathan is inspired and happy to borrow from a variety of art and craft disciplines, ceramic, metal, painting and sculpture to take his own discipline further. He works with traditional ceramic kilns, updated with computer controls. Driven by a desire for excellence and steered by a need for discovery, Jonathan gives form to qualities that give him a feeling of wonder, beauty and intensity--objects of contemplation and celebration.
