AACG - Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass

Therman Statom

Artist Statement:

“I believe art can be understood both conceptually and intuitively. I think there is a need for the general public to come to an understanding that to appreciate art and creativity they must trust his or her self; that extensive education is not a prerequisite for understanding art. Much of what I do is seeded in what is more of an intuitive process; a large portion of my work is exploring these processes within people and their environments.

The fact is, I believe that creativity is a part of all aspects of what people do; my studio and educational efforts via workshops and the support of outside programming, general educational and cultural institutions, are a reflection of this belief.

I feel that art is tool for empowerment and education. It’s also a viable tool to investigate positive change and engage a culture through the use of exploration.”

About Therman Statom

Therman Statom - sculptor, glass artist, and painter - is most notably known as a pioneer of the contemporary glass movement for his life-size glass ladders, chairs, tables, constructed box-like paintings, and small scale houses; all created through the technique of gluing glass plate together. Sandblasted surfaces become a canvas for spontaneous vibrant colors and line work, which take nuances from Abstract Expressionism and concepts of Minimalism, while simultaneously incorporating a twist by using blown-glass elements and found objects. 

Born in Winter Haven, Florida in 1953, Statom grew up in Washington, D.C. His interest in the arts grew from a fondness of painting, and he began to investigate ceramics at RISD. However, after an experimental glassblowing session with Dale Chihuly, he was soon hooked on the spontaneity of glassblowing and its limitless possibilities. Statom went on to pursue studies at Pilchuck Glass School during its inaugural year, completing a BFA in 1974 from RISD, and later studied at the Pratt Institute of Art & Design. 

Therman Statom has successfully completed large scale public installations in the Corning, Inc. Headquarters, the Toledo Museum of Art, and the Mayo Clinic among others. In 2018, Statom was awarded the Libensky / Brychtova Award which acknowledges extraordinary talent and high achievement in the world of contemporary glass.

In addition to his successful career as a studio artist, Statom is an advocate for at risk youths and has used art as a tool for empowerment and education. He has organized and implemented numerous workshops as a catalyst for social change and positively impacting communities throughout the United States, Africa, and Europe. 

Click here for an artist's resume.

Acknowledgment of Gallery:
We are grateful to Austin Art Projects, Palm Desert, California, for providing the materials for the Artist of the Month.