Austin Stern
Sun Machine Glass
Glassblower
Tacoma, WA, USA
Little bodies for big feelings
- Austin makes creature-like glass sculptures to explore difficult emotions
- He uses Venetian glass techniques to play with texture as well as colour
- His exploration of the possibilities in glasswork keeps him inspired
For Austin Stern, glass has become a language for emotions that are difficult to put into words. Since discovering glassblowing at the age of 14, he has pursued it with intent focus, working with traditional Venetian techniques. "I learned my craft through years of mentorship in the Pacific Northwest," explains Austin. He creates character-like sculptures that pair playfulness with emotional weight. The bright colours and cartoon-inspired forms of his objects open conversations around anxiety, loneliness and vulnerability. "For me, making is about creating work in which people recognise parts of themselves," he says.
INTERVIEW
Talking about anxiety or depression can make people defensive. The Little Monsters create a protective bubble. The cuteness and comedy are intentional. People can relate to them without feeling like they are looking into a mirror.
It usually starts with a feeling or experience I have. I realise those feelings are not unique. Uncertainty, separation, these are what many people go through. I ask myself: what does this feeling look like? Then I start to sketch.
I would say my work is 93% plan and 7% fate. Sometimes things happen because they want to happen. Over time, my perspective evolved and what once felt like failure started to feel more like opportunity.
There is no end to it. I have been blowing glass for over 20 years and I still learn something every day. There are no limits to what one can do. If I could blow glass for a hundred years, I would not get bored.
