Behind the Curtain

This first comprehensive work on Mary Shaffer illuminates her radical life and art, from a single mother in the ’70s entering the male-dominated world of glass art to the renowned master she is today. A pioneering figure in the American Studio Glass Movement, she expanded the art form with her innovative mid-air slumping technique, which uses gravity to create flowing, organic shapes from glass. Nearly 200 photos covering four decades feature her iconic slumped and cast glass art, as well as large outdoor sculptures, conceptual installations, and commissioned pieces. Personal stories shed light on integral figures, moments, and developments in studio glass art throughout her career, giving rare insider insight to artists, students, and collectors. A foreword by Jane Adlin and contributions from Lucy R. Lippard and William Warmus delve further into Shaffer’s artistic philosophy and legacyone rooted in dissolving the binaries of liquid/solid, female/male, intangible/tangible, personal/political.

[AuthorName]By Mary Shaffer, Foreword by Jane Adlin, and Commentaries by Lucy R. Lippard and William Warmus[/AuthorName][AuthorBio]Mary Shaffer is an important influence in the American Studio Glass Movement, and her work is featured in collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She has taught at New York University and California College of the Arts.

[/AuthorBio][NumIllustration]181 color and b/w images[/NumIllustration][CoAuthor][/CoAuthor][SubTitle]The Glass Art of Mary Shaffer[/SubTitle][ColorPattern]181 color and b/w images[/ColorPattern]