The GLASS Quarterly Hot Sheet caught up with Ben Young, a self-taught artist from New Zealand who was a recent finalist for the Ranamok Glass Prize. Represented by Kirra Galleries at the recent Chicago SOFA 2015 art fair, Young started out as a boat builder, but discovered glass a dozen years ago. He says he's found glass the perfect medium for his creative expression.
GLASS Quarterly: Do you consider yourself a full-time artist working with glass?
Ben Young: Ever since I picked that piece of glass 12 years ago, I was hooked. Since then, I've developed my works around glass over the years. Finally I took the leap of faith about two years a go and became a full-time artist.
GLASS: Is this your first time at SOFA?
Ben: No, this is my second time. I was here last year as well. I always love coming back to places and meeting people. I had a pretty successful show as well.
GLASS: Can you talk a bit about some of your works?
Ben: They are all made from 4mm sheet glass that’s laminated from using UV glue. Depending on the pieces, some are carved and molded to create the concrete element. I played with new colors here with my newest pieces Icebergs. The little figures and the lighthouses on some of the works are made up of cast bronze, which are carved and waxed. You can see that the oceans hugely influence my works. I’ve grown up by the oceans and I’m in the oceans all the time—I see where I can take my influence from oceans to my art.
GLASS: Do you think you’ll continue working with ocean-themed works?
Ben: Yes, I will definitely continue. I’ve done some abstract art. I would like to explore more on that as well, in a parallel to my works related to oceans. But who knows where it’s going to go?