Alexis Silk

Alexis Silk works in molten glass to create figurative works that are
timeless yet thought provoking. A student of human form, she combines
close knowledge of anatomy with a passion for fire and an unquenchable
thirst for meaning.

Technically, Alexis is pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Her
glass figures are sculpted entirely free-hand while the glass is hot on
the end of blowpipe or punty rod. With work ranging in scale to life
size torsos hanging in six-foot tall steel frames, her largest figures
are close to half her body weight and take a team of five or six
assistants to handle the glass while she sculpts it.

While making intrinsically beautiful objects, Alexis explores issues of
human nature, society, and the relationship of humans, nature and
industry. Her hanging figures, for example, are an eloquent exploration
of objectification of the body. The glass simultaneously appears like
skin and evokes a sense of something superficially applied, like a
garment. Cast iron “meat” hooks are a visceral comment on
objectification of the body. The color on the interior of the torso
being different than the exterior color suggests that if one goes below
surface appearance there is more to be discovered. Steel frames
represent conceptual boxes of perception that society puts us in.

Since receiving her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
in 2005, Alexis has continued to study with glass masters such as Pino
Signoretto, Richard Royal and Boyd Sugiki. She has been working full
time as an artist since 2006. Today she has work in museums, galleries,
private collections and fine art shows around the country.