Fusion Notes by Preston Singletary

Fusion Notes, a visual memoir, is a loosely thematic dive into Preston Singletary’s life and artistic practices. The title of this book speaks to Singletary’s multi-faceted spirit, Tlingit background, and enduring love for music and the medium of glass.

Glass is a material still young in its recognition within the broader market of contemporary art. And yet, through his many years of traditional education as an apprentice, assistant, and team member working with some of the foremost masters of the American Studio Glass movement, Singletary has drawn international attention to it through integration of two ancient practices—the medium itself, and his deployment of traditional Northwest Coast formline design in glass.

As has been a hallmark of his ever-evolving visual work and his music, Singletary is leaning into this storytelling of his life as another act of experimentation and collaboration.

Publisher: Minor Matters

Material(s): Paper

DETAILS

8 x 10.75 inches; ~100 black and white and color images with primary photography by Russell Johnson; hardcover, 144 pages

ABOUT PRESTON SINGLETARY

Preston Singletary was born in 1963 in San Francisco CA. He was educated at the Pilchuck Glass School and studied with Lino Tagliapietra, Cecco Ongaro, Benjamin Moore, Dorit Brand, Judy Hill and Dan Dailey.

Singletary, a Native American of the Tlingit Indigenous People, creates unique sculptures which are informed by the stories and images of his people and their tradition in art. Preston has taught, lectured and exhibited internationally since 1989, and is well-known and respected for his stunning glass forms utilizing layering and etching techniques which he developed himself.

In addition to consistently receiving honors and awards since 1989, Singletary was recently awarded the Rakow Commission from the Corning Museum of Glass, as well as the Mayor's Award for Diversified Arts in Indian Art NW in Portland Oregon.

 “Glass has a defining historic connection with Native Americans. I feel that my work is an exploration of the material of glass and an interpretation of the feeling of Northwest Coast art and its symbols. Glass has an inherent sculptural quality that showcases another dimension. I like to think of the shadows created by the glass as showing a fourth dimension of the piece --a sort of a kinetic sculpture that is only revealed when the lighting is right.

I see my work as an extension of tradition and a declaration that Native cultures are alive and developing innovative technologies and new ways of communicating the ancient codes and symbols of this land.”

Location: Seattle, WA