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Glass Puzzles
This award-winning artist experiments with his materials and process
Matthew Fuchs approaches his work with glass like solving a puzzle. “Glass is unpredictable,” says Matthew, 18. “You often have to rework things several times to get the design you want.” A freshman at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Matthew hopes to someday combine art and his analytical talent as an architect.
Matthew Fuchs
When did you first get serious about art?
I’ve been interested in art my whole life. Five years ago, my aunt invited me to take a class at a local glass studio and I got hooked.
How did you create these works?
For each vase, I cut sheets of colored glass into rectangular strips and laid them flat in patterns. Then I fired and fused the arrangements. Next, I draped each fused-glass sheet on a mold and refired it until it melted into a vaselike shape.
Did problem solving play a role as you developed your designs?
Yes, especially with Rose-Colored Glass (top). The first time I attempted to make it, I rushed and fired the entire design all at once. A lot of the thin glass strips didn’t line up properly. Then I tried firing it in small sections, and then fusing the smaller segments into a large sheet. With this process, the design came out as I’d hoped.
How did you choose the colors?
With Roots (below), I wanted to use warm and cool colors. But I had to be careful because, when you fire warm and cool colors next to one another, you can have unwanted chemical reactions and unexpected stains.
Why is trial and error part of Matthew’s process?
What did you want viewers to walk away with?
The artworks I enjoy most are the ones that puzzle me. I wanted viewers to look at these works and wonder how I made them.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists like yourself?
Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Experiment and use your eraser. The more you practice, draw, train your eyes, and observe, the better an artist you’ll become.
Matthew won Silver Medals for his works in the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
To find out more about this program, visit artandwriting.org.
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