Between the Lines: John Luebtow and Stephen Edwards

This exhibition pairs the work of two long-standing, luminary glass sculptors, Stephen Edwards and John Luebtow. Insatiably curious about process, both artists consistently push the boundaries of material exploration and technical development. Working in varying scales and sizes, they have each proven the adaptability for glass as a sculptural and expressive medium. For both artists, work begins and has largely emanated from the line, which defines their forms. Reading into their works and between the lines always unveils existential messages and added layers of philosophical and personal meaning.

Works in the exhibition include Luebtow’s initial entry point into the art world via ceramics in the late 1960s, when he first considered concepts of line, form, color, and spirituality. With an overlapping artistic ideology, the exhibition will feature never-before shown recent sculptures by Edwards, as well as quintessential, retrospective works spanning the past two decades.

In addition to illustrious careers, the two masters have been instrumental in creating powerful education programs and facilities in glass and have taught scores of students; Luebtow at Harvard-Westlake School here in Los Angeles, and Edwards at Alfred University in New York. Anecdotally, the two artists are also tied by a teacher/student relationship: Edwards was once a budding high school art student of Luebtow. Their artistic and personal lineage is multifaceted.

Virtual Gallery

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John Luebtow, Trinity 1: In search of meaning, 1968, Craft in America
John Luebtow, Trinity 1: In Search of Meaning, 1968
John Luebtow, Untitled, Craft in America
John Luebtow, Untitled
John Luebtow, Linear Form #3, Study in Line and Form, 1983. Photo: Madison Metro, Craft in America
John Luebtow, Linear Form #3, Study in Line and Form, 1983. Photo: Madison Metro
John Luebtow, Linear Form Series, Maquette Study, Nestlé-Carnation Commission, Late 1980s. Photo: Madison Metro, Craft in America
John Luebtow, Linear Form Series, Maquette Study, Nestlé-Carnation Commission, Late 1980s. Photo: Madison Metro
John Luebtow, Craft in America
John Luebtow, Linear Form I-Beam Series, Maquettes for City of Redlands, Early 1990s. Photo: Madison Metro
John Luebtow, Craft in America
John Luebtow, Linear Form I-Beam Series, Maquettes for City of Redlands, Early 1990s. Photo: Madison Metro
John Luebtow, Craft in America
John Luebtow, I-beam series public sculpture, City of Redlands
John Luebtow, Craft in America
John Luebtow, Linear Form Wall Series, Red, Purple, Black, 2000. Photo: Madison Metro
John Luebtow, Craft in America
John Luebtow, Linear Form Wall Series Red LF-W1-6_16, 2000. Photo: Madison Metro
John Luebtow, Craft in America
John Luebtow, Linear Form Series, LF-3-00_3 – 3 arcs, 2000. Photo: Madison Metro
John Luebtow, Craft in America
John Luebtow, Linear Form I-Beam Series, 1990s, LF-7-98, 1990s. Photo: Madison Metro
John Luebtow, Craft in America
John Luebtow, Linear Form I-Beam Series, 1990s, LF-7-98, 1990s. Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, John Luebtow
John Luebtow, Chair
John Luebtow, Craft in America
John Luebtow, installation view. Photo: Madison Metro
John Luebtow, Craft in America
John Luebtow, installation view. Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Stephen Edwards
Stephen Edwards, installation view. Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Stephen Edwards
Stephen Edwards, Crystal Prism, 2008. Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Stephen Edwards
Stephen Edwards, Eroded Prism, detail, 2000. Photo: Madison Metro
Stephen Edwards, Craft in America
Stephen Edwards, Eroded Prism, 2000. Photo: Madison Metro
Stephen Edwards, Craft in America
Stephen Edwards, Icarus, 2024. Photo: Madison Metro
Stephen Edwards, Craft in America
Stephen Edwards, Red Flame Panel, 2008. Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Stephen Edwards
Stephen Edwards, Red Flame Panel, 2008, detail. Photo: Madison Metro
Craft in America, Stephen Edwards
Stephen Edwards, Tribute to Farm Workers, 2024. Photo: Madison Metro
Stephen Edwards, Cast glass
Stephen Edwards, Hope, 2023
John Luebtow in studio
John Luebtow
Craft in America, Stephen Edwards
Stephen Edwards
John Luebtow, Craft in America
John Luebtow, in homemade kiln at Chatsworth studio
Between the Lines banner, John Luebtow, Stephen Edwards