American Studio Glass: A Survey of the Movement
May 15 - August 24, 2003

William Morris
Suspended Artifact
Blown glass
1994 21 x 27 x 9
Photo Credit: Rob Vinnedge

William Morris (born 1957; resides Stanwood, WA)

Though William Morris attended California State University in Chico, he began his career in glass at age 20 as a truck driver for the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington. Glass captured his imagination so much, that Morris not only learned how to blow it, but actually went on to become an instructor there, and then principal gaffer (head glass blower) for Dale Chihuly. Morris actually made most of the glass produced by Chihuly in the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s. In the mid-1980’s, Morris struck out on his own. He began with vessel forms evoking ancient imagery such as petroglyphs and archaeological artifacts. In the late ‘80’s, Morris went to Italy to study and practice with Venetian masters. Morris’ work has been featured in exhibits world-wide, including Art of Glass at the Chrysler Museum of Art, which featured a 36-foot-long sculpture consisting of over 100 life-sized glass elephant tusks with glass bones of ancient hunters, and wall-mounted panels of antler racks and other artifacts. His artwork resides in 34 collections worldwide including the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England, the Museum of American Glass, Millville, NJ, the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, France. An avid outdoorsman, Morris chooses to create work that reflects the beauty of nature and natural artifacts.

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