Christopher Ries

http://www.christopherries.com/biography.htm

Christopher Ries grew up on an Ohio farm. After receiviing a BFA in glass and ceramics from The Ohio State University, Ries worked as an assistant to Harvey K. Littleton, a professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison (UWM) and founder of the American studio glass movement. Ries earned an MFA in glass from UWM.

Though initially he blew glass, by the late 1970's he was sculpting glass cold by cutting, grinding, and polishing it in his home studio. Ries acquired blocks of pure, clear lead crystal cast from Schott Glass Technologies of Duryea, Pennsylvania. Today, he also serves Schott Glass as artist-in-residence.

Some of his works are the largest, whole, unassembled pieces of sculpted crystal known. The art of Christopher Ries is deceptively simple in form but complex in expression as it engages each viewer in an ever changing intimate world of images. (Source: Christopher Ries)

Christopher Ries

Christopher Ries (b.1952) grew up on a farm near Columbus, Ohio. In 1971 Ries studied ceramics at the Ohio State University. During courses in glaze calculations he learned to make and appreciate glass. Ries received his B.F.A. in 1975 and in 1978 received his M.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Today Ries is a highly acclaimed contemporary glass artist, known worldwide for his prodigious art.

Though initially he blew glass, by the late 1970's he was sculpting glass cold by cutting, grinding and polishing it in his home studio. Ries acquired blocks of pure, clear lead crystal from Schott North America of Duryea, Pennsylvania. Today, he collaborates with Schott Glass as artist-in-residence.

Ries composes light through the medium of glass by sculpting monolithic forms from giant blocks of optic crystal. His elegant polished forms reflect internally, then transmit evocative abstract compositions, which appear as pure apparitions of light. The inspiration for these sculptures is as diverse as water, wind, fire and flowers. Some suggest the glow and light of flame, while others the shimmer and reflectivity of water. All have a profound simplicity and elegance of form. They allow the viewer great latitude in interpretation. The work is at once intellectually, emotionally and spiritually spellbinding.

Bios Compiled From Hawk Galleries website (http://www.hawkgalleries.com/artists.aspx)