Jason Robert Harris
Haiku Hawaii
Jason Robert Harris, Glass Artist
Glass Art Projects:

• 2007: “Hot Shop TV Show,” Hollywood California – assistant producer for the Hot Shop, a TV show about the uniting of a modern artist with a master glass worker, and the creation of a masterpiece!
• 2007: Pendy Foundation, Wailuku Hawaii - Coordinated the endeavor to design and execute the “ Sphere of Consciousness” – a blown/ sculpted work of glass art to commemorate His Holiness The 14TH Dali Lama on his visit to Maui on April 25th 2007
• 2006: Glass Art Society- St. Louis Missouri - Responsible for the design and execution of three large scale roll-up glass works. Worked with a team of ten people in front of hundreds to demonstrate how the material works.
• 2006: AZUL - Eugene, Oregon - glass installation “ICE” inspired.
• 2005: Nobel Peace Prize Monument, Eugene Oregon -Participated in the design and planning of a large scale site specific park that will commemorate all past recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.
• 2005: 50 Cent Cognac Bottle –New York, New York – Design of the Bottle series for the rapper 50 cent’s cognac bottle.
• 2004: The Strand Coffee Shop - Eugene, Oregon - site specific installation of 14 large scale blown glass clouds installed hanging from ceiling to appear floating.
• 2003: Register Guard - 10th & Mill Building, Eugene, Oregon. Site-specific glass project as focal point in front entry, objects are mounted away from the feature wall.
• 1999: Uroboros Glass - Portland, Oregon - A manufacturer of glass color for artists and industry. Worked extensively on research and development for multiple projects including designing and producing twisted glass rods, (zanfrico and Americano cane) currently for sale by Uroboros.
• 1998: New Delhi, India, worked with fifteen native artists to build a glass factory. This was from grass roots start-up to finish facility. Duties included: furnace design and implementation, training gaffers to work with glass, production process, kiln set-up, operation, finish work and marketing.

Personal Experience:

• 2007: Da Factory.
• 2005 – 2006: Full time faculty instructor at the University of Oregon Craft Center.
• 2005: Hired to design and build a full-scale glass art facility at the University Of Oregon Craft Center – including a flame working studio – fusing department and a hot shop.
• 2005: - founding member of E.M.E.R.G.E. – a non profit educational resource group – served on the board from 2005-2006
• 2003: Arranged for Cesare Toffalo to teach a five-day workshop at the Eugene Glass School.
• 2002: Traveled throughout the Czech Republic to visit major glass studios and museums.
• 1995 – 2000: Worked in Germany with many of the top German glass artists and designers.
• 1997 – Present: Founding Member of the Eugene Glass School, instrumental in securing location, facility design and equipment procurement and marketing.
• 1997 – 2001: Eugene Glass School: Brought Hans and Karl Ittig, to Eugene as advisors to facilitate and design the Eugene Glass School. Karl and Hans Ittig are forth and fifth generation glass blowers, owners of Glashaus Wertheim, Wertheim, Germany.
• 1995 – Present: Active member of Glass Art Society. Assisted with demonstrations and conference promotion.
• 1995: Traveled to the island of Murano, Italy to study the glass as an artistic medium.
• 1995 – 2003: Startup and operated a small art glass factory in Eugene, Oregon. Duties included: Studio designs, process implementation, finish products, kiln and furnace design, and marketing.
• 1995 – 2003: Startup metal fabrication shop, facility to manufacture equipment used at the glass furnace: marver tables, kiln structures, benches, site specific fabrication for installation of equipment and metal fabrication for art glass.

Education:

• 2005: Haystack School: Studied with Dick Marquis, murrini
• 2004: Pilchuck: Studio co-coordinator-Sally Parasch - Rodger Parramore
• 2004: Pilchuck: 2004, Selected pole-turner for Auction centerpiece production
• 2003: Pilchuck: 2003, Teachers Assistant for Cesare Toffalo, Venetian goblets
• 2003: Eugene Glass School: Studied with Ross Richmond, Glass, human form
• 1999: Uroboros Glass Factory: Hans Ittig -extensive color pot murrini
• 1999: Eugene Glass School: Studied with Karen Willenbrink, Glass sculpture
• 1998: Pilchuck: Studied with Ken Ikishmua, Glass blowing
• 1996: Glashaus Wertheim: Studied with Hans Ittig, Glassblowing - murrini
• 1995: University of Oregon Graduate, BFA
• 1995: Pilchuck: Studied with Robert Mickelson, flame working
• 1995: BFA University of Oregon
• 1991: Eugene Oregon: Apprenticed under Robert Snodgrass, Flame working
• 1990: Franklin Mass: Associates Degree Dean College

Shows

• 2007: Bella Vetri: Lahina Hawaii: Coordinated the making of a Masterpiece, "He kupua kohola au" with Charles Lowerie and Solomon Enos.
• 2006: Alder Gallery: One person show: Murrini Vessels - Coburg, Oregon.
• 2005: Hager Collection: Lahina, Hawaii: Masters in Glass.
• 2005: Pacific Northwest Art Annual: Adell McMillan Gallery, University of Oregon – juried entry.
• 2005: Solo show: Umqua Community College Arts Center Gallery, Oregon.
• 2005: Salon De Refuge, Eugene, Oregon.
• 2004: Solo show: Adell McMillan Gallery University of Oregon.
• 2004: Pilchuck auction, Seattle Washington – juried entry.
• 2004: Eugene Glass School auction, Eugene Oregon – juried entry.
• 2004: Solo show: Modern/Primitive, Alder Gallery, Coburg, Oregon.
• 2004: Group show: Eugene Airport Gallery.
• 2003: One person show: Alder Gallery, Coburg, Oregon.
• 2003: Pilchuck auction, Seattle Washington – juried entry
• 2001: Scan Design Gallery, Eugene Oregon, featured artist for first Friday Art walk.
• 1994 – 2003: Independent art commissions: Snoop Dog, Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Annie Lennox, Montel Williams, Allman Brothers, among others.

Publications

• 2005 – “This Side Up” - Netherlands Glass Art Magazine
• 2004 – Eugene Arts Quarterly – Featured Artist

Awards

• 2005 - University of Oregon – numerous departmental awards for excellence
• 2004 – Flame Off – 1st place Lathe worker category

Collections:

• The Schefter Foundation
• Tom and Candy Moffett
• Jim and Jan Cirillo
• Mr. Mark Twaney
• Mrs. Margie Venuto

Artist statement:

I am attracted to all the chaos associated with handling glass as an artistic medium and the natural crossover from art to architectural applications. I am fascinated with the energy of glass and the magic of creating beautiful objects.”

I consider working with glass a second nature. Many of my more recent works are created by sculpting hot glass, in its liquid state, by forming and shaping the molten mass with a variety of tools including knives spoons and many other instruments specifically designed to work the glass. After the sculpture is cooled down slowly in a kiln I attack the glass with many different chemicals that create a rough look on the surface. My work is often sandblasted as well as cut and ground with an assortment of abrasive tools to achieve a “weathered” finish. The texture, contrast and outrageous forms are all considered the development of a process, which I am perfecting over time.

Jason Harris has maintained an independent glass studio after receiving his BFA from the University of Oregon, 1995. He has taken classes in glass blowing at numerous glass art institutions including the prestigious Haystack Mountain School in Deer Isle Maine and the famous Pilchuck Glass School, in Stanwood, Washington. Jason has traveled the world investigating glass in a number of different factories and settings. Mr. Harris has had the privilege of working with an array of glass masters such as: Robert Mickleson, Ken Ikushima, Karen Willenbrink, Karl Ittig and other. A Co-founder of the Eugene Glass School, Harris continues to serve for the Board of Directors. Jason enjoys sharing information regarding glass blowing and can often be found at DaFactory perfecting new techniques and working with the a team of fellow glass artists.

Jason Harris Statement: MODERN/PRIMITIVE

I choose to work in glass because of its translucent nature, the spontaneity of the materials, its permanent qualities and the satisfaction of working with a team. My current body of work explores the Tiki icon, which is a primitive expression of native south pacific spiritual gods. These icons are created with molten glass including part transparent and etched surfaces, which give the finished piece an ancient look. These visceral figures evoke images of a distant past as well as examining mans relationship with icons and adornment.

The psychological and the sociological realms of the icon and object are interwoven into everyday choices of power within society and religion. This body of work represents an inquiry into supernatural power, culturally inherited values, codes of conduct, and man’s quest for spirituality relating to South Pacific oceanic culture.

These sculpted glass icons represent the primal energy of prehistoric concepts and the deep understanding of nature and the world around us compared with today’s society and their shallow perception of the environment. The carved surface tattoos that form decorative motifs are perfect examples of the cultural elements and social conditioning of today’s popular culture. Ornamentation is the meeting of beauty, craft, collected prized objects, wealth and identified social order.

The ornamentation used, not only as a reference point, but also as a metaphor, creates continuity between the contemporary and the ancient. I am interested in how these people lived. The way in which they were in harmony with nature and the spirituality they once thrived on.