FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 27, 2005
Contact: Christine Kuper
Cal Poly University Art Gallery
(805) 756-1571; ckuper@calpoly.edu
Pioneer Glass Artist to Exhibit at University Art Gallery Jan. 19-Feb. 18
SAN LUIS OBISPO - The public is invited to see the world through an artist's eyes at the Cal Poly University Art Gallery's next exhibition, "Marvin Lipofsky: A Journey in Glass," showing from Jan. 19-Feb. 18.
"A splash of spring color twists among deep blue ocean swaths; a red fire climbs toward the black sky," said art gallery coordinator Christine Kuper in describing "the spectacular exhibition of works spanning more than three decades by seminal glass artist Lipofsky."
Lipofsky will open the exhibition with a slide presentation at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, in Philips Hall in the Cohan Center. An opening reception will follow at the University Art Gallery until 8 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
For many years, Lipofsky has traveled the globe, capturing his impressions of diverse landscapes and cultures in his sculpture. From Czechoslovakia, Italy and Poland to Japan, Taiwan and China, he collaborates with foreign artisans to create blown glass, which is then shipped back to his Berkeley studio for sawing, sandblasting and polishing.
"The result is a dazzling array of complex, cloud-like forms in a kaleidoscope of colors," Kuper said. "One of the early pioneers to use glass as an art form in the United States, Lipofsky continues to expand the visual and technical boundaries of the material."
Lipofsky earned Master of Science and Master of Fine Art degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he was a member of Harvey Littleton's groundbreaking glass program in the 1960s.
He went on to found and head glass departments at UC Berkeley (1964-1972) and the California College of Arts and Crafts (1967-1987). He was a founding member of the Glass Art Society and has been a board member of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts and the American Craft Council.
Awarded two National Endowment for the Arts fellowships, Lipofsky was also named a Living Treasure of California, and elected to the American Craft Council College of Fellows. His unique sculptures are included in numerous private collections and more than 90 museums and corporate collections throughout the world.
"Marvin Lipofsky: A Journey in Glass," curated by Cal Poly professor George Jercich, will be open during regular gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The gallery is in Room 171 in the Dexter Building.
Partial funding for "Marvin Lipofsky: A Journey in Glass" is provided by Cal Poly Arts, the College of Liberal Arts, Lyceum Lecture Series, Department of Art & Design, Instructionally Related Activities program, and Seekers Glass Gallery of Cambria. For more information call 756-6038 or 756-1571.
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(Note to Editors: For images, contact Teresa Hendrix in Cal
Poly Public Affairs at
756-7266 or thendrix@calpoly.edu,
or Christine Kuper at 756-1571 or ckuper@calpoly.edu.)