Harvey Littleton

Harvey K. Littleton (1922-2013) was a glass artist and educator, who is considered a pioneer in the Studio Glass Movement.
His work ranged from functional vessels to sculptural forms. His father was a physicist at Corning Glass Works so he had early exposure to glass in the factories. Trained as a ceramist, he began experimenting with hot glass in his studio in 1959. Through two landmark workshops and by establishing the first Studio Glass curriculum at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, he helped to bring glass out of the factory and into the artists’ studio.

He attended Brighton School of Art in England, received his Bachelors of Design at the University of Michigan, and received his MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art. His work can be found in the collection of the High Museum of Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, New York, Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, the Victoria & Albert Museum in England, among others.

www.littletoncollection.com

Harvey Littleton, Courtesy of Penland School of Crafts
Harvey Littleton, Courtesy of Penland School of Crafts
Harvey Littleton, Red Interrupted Descending Form, Courtesy of the American Craft Council
Harvey Littleton, Red Interrupted Descending Form, Courtesy of the American Craft Council
Harvey Littleton, Blue Crown
Harvey Littleton, Blue Crown
Harvey Littleton, 300º Rotated Ellipsoid, 1980
Harvey Littleton, 300º Rotated Ellipsoid, 1980
CA Handmade, Marvin Lipofsky, Russian Group 2006-7 #12, 2006-2007
Marvin Lipofsky, Russian Group 2006-7 #12, 2006-2007. M. Lee Fatheree photograph. Lipofksy is one of the most influential leaders of the American StudioGlass movement. After studying with Harvey Littleton in the 1960s, hetransported the concepts and techniques to California in 1964 where hehelped them take root by establishing a glass studio at the University ofCalifornia, Berkeley. In California, he was free to experiment boldly withthe uncharted potential of the medium. “…It’s all this pleasant discovery; these little accidents that just happened alongthe way.”