“In nature, light creates color; in painting, color creates light”

— Hans Hoffman

“In nature, light creates color; in painting, color creates light”, said Hans Hoffman.


So too, a potter molds the earth that has, firstly, molded them. With this point of reference is John De Wit, a glass artist, who is, a molder of light. Molded in the sense that his work has the feel and form of ancient objects, worn by hands and time. His pieces are like moments caught in time, frozen in glass; organic, layered with meaning, and ablaze with light. About the Artist

Turquoise glass vase with yellow and green floral designs, clear handle, against a black background.
A young Glass Artist, John de Wit, wearing sunglasses and a t-shirt, is glassblowing.

John de Wit’s decades of glasswork are a celebration of organic form and texture. His use of non-traditional materials connects us to our earthen past while enriching the conversation of contemporary glass expression.

"The explorations with glass, metal, and wood, as well as the processes used to intertwine these materials, are a result of my interest in the ever-changing physical world I see, feel, and have experienced. I am drawn to the ambiguous, as well to the literal; the metaphorical holds promise as truth, and raw divide becomes sublime harmony. I view the years of experience, development of techniques, and refinement of process as grains of protein coming together to make an unexpected complement, fashioning material into ideas, and content." - John de Wit

De Wit studied at American River College in Sacramento, CA, before going on to obtain a BA in Sociology from California State University, Chico, CA, where he also attended the CSUC Graduate School, studying Ceramic and Glass Design. De Wit furthered his glassblowing knowledge working with Dale Chihuly at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, WA. He has shown his work internationally, including at Pavillon Josephine, Strasbourg, France; Centre Européen de Recherches et Formation aux Arts Verriers (CERFAV), Vannes-le-Châtel, France; and Cheongju International Craft Biennale, Cheongju, South Korea. He has been featured at SOFA Exposition, Chicago, as well as at galleries across North America. De Wit has taught as an instructor and visiting artist around the world, and his sculptures are part of collections including Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, WA; Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA; Boeing Corporate Headquarters, Chicago, IL; Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY; and Niijima Contemporary Glass Museum, Tokyo, Japan.

GIVE US A SHOUT

To contact John for talks, lectures, or workshops, please give us a shout and we will happily get back to you.

Contact Us