This week I wanted to highlight another glass artist that takes a different approach on his work. David Bennett can be considered a “jack of all trades” as he is on his 3rd career! He was first a Captain in the United States Army, then a lawyer in the ’70’s and ’80’s, and officially became a professional glass artist in 1991, and has never gone back since! He was born in Oregon and currently resides in both Carefree, Arizona and Washington. He studied at Pilchuck School in Stanwood, Washington (like Dale Chihuly).
His ancient and little known technique is created by blowing hot glass into a metal mold. The results are astounding and completely unique to say the least. This technique was first mentioned almost 2000 years ago by Pliny the Elder who wrote of Hebraic glassblowers blowing glass into metal objects. There is an example of such historic art using this technique in the British Museum in London in which there is a perforated silver chalice infused with cobalt glass.
To date, Bennett is working on large-scale outdoor sculptures combining blown and cast glass with aluminum. Many people purchase his works to utilize in their private homes and even in public spaces.
