Michael Janis, glass artist and co-director of The Washington Glass School, installs brand new work in his first solo exhibition at Gallery Neptune. Anyone who appreciates drawings in graphite will be intrigued to find drawn images fused to glass in Michael's unusual work. This is an art form requiring utmost precision and skill as powdered glass is carefully arranged into place forming deftly drawn figures and objects that become elements for wall mounted and free standing artworks.
The artist says this about his current efforts:
"Issues of identity and community are often explored in my work. Glass, with its tactile ability to be invisible yet solid, transparent or opaque, glossy or satin smooth brings with it a tremendous subtext and a subtle beauty. Layering glass allows me to overlap imagery, creating transparent scenes which result in interactive commentary.
I like working with the delicate nature of glass powder where the images I'm creating can be changed by the slightest tap, then proceeding to melt the glass dust at temperatures to 1600*F. My latest work involves fusing images together in an uneasy juxtaposition, creating transparent environments where reflections and shadows remove all boundaries."
Michael Janis's work is part of the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, and is also featured in the new international book about the best in glass art and design "50 Distinguished Contemporary Artists in Glass".
More of Michael's work can be found on Michael's site: www.michaeljanis.com.