PAUL DESOMMA

“These pieces are the most recent in a series of explorations in clear glass.  The aim is to feature the basic nature of the material an emphasize what glass does so well simply by being glass. The “vocabulary” I try to bring to this work includes:  Clarity, light transmission and refraction /optical effects and fluid movement of the molten material without excess tooling or excess manipulation

As I engage with this vocabulary, I try to keep in mind these meaningful quotes from some of our finest and most influential glass artists, rare individuals who I consider friends, and masters with whom I’ve had the great pleasure of working:

“Light exists as the specific quality of the material...the overriding characteristic.” - Stanislav Libensky and Jaroslava Brychtova

 “Sculpture and glass develop together, without having to imitate other materials.”  - Libensky and Brychtova

 “I hope to be true to myself.  To be true to the material. -Lino Tagliapietra”

Born:  Pittsburgh, PA 1959

Education:  Cornell University B.S. 1982

Paul DeSomma is a glass artist who specializes in figurative work. Paul first blew glass in New York City in 1983 and spent the next 15 years working and studying in studios in Seattle, Washington and Murano, Italy. His close friendship with Masestro Pino Signoretto has guided Paul's technical approach and influenced his sculptural aesthetic.

Professional Experience

2013  Odunpazari Glass Festival, Eskisehir, Turkey

2002-2004, 1990-1995 Master Craftsman in Residence (Gaffer) Pilchuck Glass School

2003  Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA, Residency with Marsha Blaker-DeSomma

2002  The Glass Furnace, Istanbul, Turkey, Instructor for Inaugural Session

1998  Visiting Artist, Pilchuck Glass School

1998   Crystal Arts Project, Waterford Crystal, Waterford, Ireland

Selected Exhibitions

2013   Luminescence: Works in Glass, Pajaro Valley Arts Council

2010   Triton Museum, San Jose CA

2008   Glorious Glass: Translucent and Opaque, The Arts Center, St Petersburg, FL

2007   Reflections of Italy  Pajaro Valley Arts Council

2004   Collaborative Work - Are we Having Fun Yet? Santa Cruz CA 

2003   Museum of Glass, Tacoma WA, Residency

1998   Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, Art of Glass, Virginia Beach, VA 

1997   Heir Apparent - Translating the Secrets of Venetian Glass, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, WA

Selected Collections

Museum of Glass, Collection of the Museum, Tacoma, WA

The Prescott Collection of Pilchuck Glass Artists, Seattle, WA

Safeco Corp. Glass Collection, Seattle, WA

Collection of Jon and Mary Shirley, WA

The Alvord Collection, Seattle, WA