Ethan Stern

Bio

Born in Ithaca, New York, Ethan Stern lives in Los Angeles, CA. He earned his BFA in Sculpture from Alfred University and is a practicing studio artist, designer, and teacher. Ethan’s artwork is held in many public and private collections, including the Corning Museum, Glasmuseet Ebeltoft, and the Lowe Museum of Art. He has taught sculpture in both academic and craft-focused institutions around the world.

Artist Statement

My work is rooted in traditional craftsmanship, contemporary design, and a deep connection to the natural environment. As a glass artist, I draw inspiration from historic craft traditions, such as cut crystal and classical ceramic design, while reinterpreting these forms through a modern lens. My practice seeks to explore the interplay between utility, beauty, and narrative, bridging the realms of functional objects and sculptural expression. 

Central to my approach is the concept of light as a dynamic medium. Glass, with its inherent ability to refract, reflect, and transmit light, becomes a canvas through which I explore optical phenomena and color. I am particularly drawn to the ways in which light interacts with texture, pattern, and form, creating ever-changing visual experiences that invite viewers to engage with my work in a multisensory manner. This exploration pushes the boundaries of materiality, transforming functional objects and sculptural forms into vessels of light. 

Pushing form beyond the expected anatomy of the vessel, I use glass to investigate the emotive potential of objects. Each piece begins with the creation of a blown, geometric form composed of multiple layers of color and pattern. After the piece has cooled, I carve into the surface, creating patterns and textures through engraving. This process, while reductive, allows me to shift the glass’s inherent reflective qualities, creating a richer, more luminous effect. The engraved marks, like the stroke of a paintbrush on canvas, leave evidence of the artist’s hand and create a sense of motion, rhythm, weight, and depth. The act of carving and removing material demands careful consideration, and each choice shapes the relationship between the surface and form, adding an emotional resonance to the work. 

The natural environment offers rich inspiration, from the organic forms and colors of coastlines to the shifting hues of the sky. Through glass, I aim to evoke a sense of interconnectedness, using the material’s elemental relationship to earth and fire to bridge the natural and the man-made. While my work draws from history and nature, it is forward-looking, blending traditional techniques with contemporary approaches. 

In addition to creating art, I am committed to sharing the craft of glassblowing through teaching and community engagement. Ultimately, my work is an ongoing exploration of the intersections between design, craft, and the natural world. It is a dialogue between tradition and innovation, utility and beauty, light and form. By creating pieces that resonate both functionally and emotionally, I hope to inspire reflection, curiosity, and connection to the larger world around us.