GOOSEFIRE GALLERY BRINGS LONG BEACH ITS FIRST TOUCH OF GLASS
By Jeanine Birong
Goosefire Gallery is the newest gallery in Long Beach, and the first in town dedicated to exclusive exhibition of the glass arts, especially smoke ware and potion art. In fact, it’s only the second of its kind in the United States. It’s location in the historic Houser Building at 2740 East Broadway adds ambiance to the gallery’s other attractions.
Goosefire Gallery’s recent grand opening—a reception for Oregon-based glass artist Clinton Roman (http://www.lunaangelica.com/), whose work dominates the premiere exhibition—was well attended by an amazing cross section of locals, ranging from hipsters to hippies and all walks of the LB social scene. The tattooed-and-pierced alternative lifestyle crowd melded quite nicely with the seniors, family matriarchs, working folks and even a local state representative at the celebration.
The mixture of people at the Goosefire opening testifies to the wide appeal of potion glass arts and endorses this brainchild of Matthew Abrams, also the owner of High Priority Glass, who opened this upscale but inviting space to push the acceptance of potion glassware as the art form it truly is.
For those unfamiliar with the term “potion art”—like me, until I visited Goosefire—it refers to techniques of glassmaking wherein artists float a hot “potion” to create designs and details into or onto the glass as they work it.
Looking at the intensity and beauty of this glassware, it is hard to believe that all of these jewel-like objects started as nothing more than mere sand, soda, and ground lime. And many of them can be used to smoke tobacco or your favorite strain of medical marijuana!
Clinton Roman’s work is famous because of his mastery of potion blowing borosilicate glass. His work features many recognizable archetypal symbols from the world’s myths and religions, including Native American culture. It especially features an interest in masks. Delicate in nature, Roman’s detailed filigree-like sculptures are blown from all of the colors of the rainbow.
The opening exhibit also includes work by other glass artists, including functional glass art and wall art including 3D glass “paintings.” Chaz Pyle’s mini sculptures are delightful post-modern combinations of little glass blown “fairies” leaning against everyday canned items like V-8 and Campbell’s soup. My favorite was a little black cat vixen on all fours—devilish and adorable!
The exhibit has a special focus on functional glass art, including a selection of smoking accessories ranging from traditionally styled glass pipes to water pipes one would never identify as being intended for smoking, as well as other vessels like stemware, vases, perfume bottles, and storage containers.
Perhaps the most amazing piece of smoking gear was by Marcel Braun, who rendered a helicopter in glass that is intended for use as a water pipe. Like Roman, Braun works in borosilicate glass and his art includes intricately decorated water pipes of all sorts, each one a fascinating sculpture, and hand blown vases.
These pieces are meant for display; the “bong” no longer must be hidden in the closet, but now enjoyed on your coffee table or in your china cabinet—appreciated for the fine art that it is.
CLINTON ROMAN’S GLASS ARTS GOOSEFIRE GALLERY • 2740 EAST BROADWAY • LONG BEACH 90803 • 562.433.4100 GOOSEFIREGALLERY.COM • THROUGH JUNE 20 • CALL FOR HOURS • FREE
