THE CLOWN IN ME LOVES YOU: Nancy Callan and Katherine Gray

THE CLOWN IN ME LOVES YOU

Nancy Callan and Katherine Gray

Master glass artists Nancy Callan and Katherine Gray’s six-year collaboration is on view in The Clown in Me Loves You.  Long-time colleagues in the glass art world, their friendship, mutual trust, complementary technical skills, and desire to experiment in new directions combined to shape a shared vision. This exhibition was originally organized by the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) chief curator Greg Robinson and associate curator Amy Sawyer.  

Joining forces on production and concept, the duo utilized traditional Venetian glass techniques to create poignant works that demonstrate impeccable craftsmanship while contemplating an intersection between artistic mastery, popular culture, clowning, and social commentary. This exhibition is a journey through the artists’ experiences and reactions to clowns while also combining their curiosity about the history of hot glass, particularly the early exquisite, and complicated works known as Venetian glass. They studied intricate sculptures and functional objects, including elaborate chandeliers, vessels, goblets, and yes, even clowns. These creations, once steeped in complicated cane patterns and other techniques, have devolved into objects for mass public consumption fueled by industrial processes and tourism.

Nancy Callan currently lives in Seattle, WA. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1996 from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (Boston, MA). Her glassblowing skills were further developed by early studies with glass maestro Lino Tagliapietra at The Studio of Corning Museum of Glass (Corning, NY) and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts (Deer Isle, ME). Callan joined Tagliapietra’s glassblowing team in 1996 and was a key member for nineteen years. In addition to creating and exhibiting her artwork, Callan has taught advanced glassblowing workshops at Pilchuck Glass School (Stanwood, WA), Pittsburgh Glass Center (Pittsburgh, PA), and Penland School of Craft (Baskerville, NC).

Katherine Gray was born and raised in Canada, and currently lives in Los Angeles, CA. She received an undergraduate degree from Ontario College of Art (Toronto, Canada) and a Master of Fine Arts from Rhode Island School of Design (Providence, RI). In addition to making art, Gray is a noted glass teacher, writer and curator, teaching workshops around the world. Currently, Gray is the Chair of the Art and Design department at Cal State San Bernardino. Since 2018, she has starred as Resident Evaluator on the Netflix glassblowing competition series Blown Away.