 Glass as an art medium has captivated a gloriously diverse group of artists. While some studio artists craft large abstract glass sculptures, others produce small wonders that fit comfortably in the hand. For California artist, Wayne Robbins, a small-scale piece that is well realized and fully detailed is the result of his passionate personal vision.
Wayne’s life as a glass artist lends truth to the adage that sometimes you find your life’s calling, and sometimes it finds you. Inspired by the purchase of a single lampwork bead, Wayne participated in a glass beadmaking workshop sponsored by Fenton Glass Studio in Berkeley. There the seduction of glass became complete. Wayne returned home inspired to explore the limitless possibilities of glass, and immediately set up a small studio.
Wayne’s lampwork beads are sculptural forms inspired by nature, but uniquely interpreted. From beautifully shaped glass pendants, demonstrating delicate flowers set in dichroic glass to whimsical, climbing creatures, Wayne’s unique visual
vocabulary is expansive.
Many of Wayne’s sculptures take on an otherworldly dimension. Anthropomorphized, a series of creatures ponder back at the viewer, displaying eyebrows that scowl, lips that smirk, and eyes that seem to refocus as you move in for a closer examination. A creature is attached to a veined leaf, gnarled branch, or crystalline water droplet with well-formed toes, often decorated with tiny fingernails, leaving you with the impression that no detail is too small for this artist’s attention.
This website showcases just a sample of the vast and diverse artwork that Wayne has created. |
