November 04, 2011

Glass artist plans workshops, demonstrations

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- There is a fragility to glass and yet a strength.  The same is true of the inner workings of the human body.

Glass artist Ben Cobb takes his inspiration from this similarity, using glass to represent his artistic take on the heart and brain and … liver? of what makes us human. Cobb’s work invites the viewer to look at all angles of the individual pieces, including interior views.

Cobb will be at Southern Illinois University Carbondale Nov. 7-9 for demonstrations, workshops and a public artist lecture.  The demonstrations are 9 a.m.-noon and the workshops run 2-5 p.m. in the Pulliam Hall Industrial Wing.  The lecture begins at 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 in the Allyn Building, Room 112.

Cobb is the lead gaffer for the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Wash.  Gaffer is another term for glassblower, referring to the person who mans the blow tube or blowpipe used in glassblowing.  Cobb has teaching experience at several high profile art schools and studios, including Haystack Mountain School of Craft in Maine, the Blenko Glass Factory in West Virginia and the Pilchuck Glass School in Washington.

Cobb is a guest of the Registered Student Organization, Southern Glass Works.