Austin Fields: lightscapes and dreamscapes in glass
people • ARTISTS
Austin Fields, originally from Texas, consistently delves into themes of light, space, reflection, and abstraction through her work as a fine artist, photographer, and glassblower. After earning her BFA in Glass and Sculpture from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2017, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she continues her practice as a glass artist and maker.
Fields sculpts hot glass with a fluid and organic approach, working freely and quickly. Her creations mimic the natural curves of the human body, drawing inspiration from landscapes, lightscapes, and dreamscapes.
Her work is featured in numerous galleries across the United States, from Portland to Miami. Beyond creating objects, Austin's technical and sculptural expertise extends to installations for custom interior landscapes. Currently, her pieces are on display at the Sarasota Art Museum and the Dallas Museum of Art Gallery, and they are also installed in various private residences worldwide. She has an upcoming show hosted by Rhett Baruch Gallery at Cuff Studio, Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 4 - 7pm in Los Angeles, California.
website:AUSTINFIELDS.NET INSTAGRAM: @AUSTINELISABETH
Words: designeers
JUNE 2024
designeers
Could you please give us a quick introduction? Describe what you create:
AUSTIN
I have developed a rich exploration of light, space, reflection, and abstraction through my role as a fine artist, photographer, and glassblower. I earned my BFA in Glass & Sculpture from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2017 and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue my career as a glass artist and maker. My technique involves sculpting hot glass in a spontaneous and organic manner, with my pieces often mirroring the natural curves of the human form, while drawing inspiration from landscapes, lightscapes, and dreamscapes.
designeers
Tell us how you got started in this field? What drew you to this type of art?
AUSTIN
Throughout my college career & prior I began exploring as many materials as I could get my hands on: paper, wood, metal, clay, neon, etc. I have always leaned more towards 3D processes & techniques. My introduction to glassblowing developed at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2015 where I first tried the craft and became absolutely obsessed with the fascinating yet challenging nature of the process. I continued to develop my skills/ concepts over the next few years that led me to pursue this art form as a career.
designeers
Describe your favourite pieces to date and how they have shaped you as an artist:
AUSTIN
My favorite pieces are ever changing, I will occasionally create works that I’m very excited about yet they sit on the shelf for months, whether as an object, work in progress or prototype for a future plan not yet realized. My favorite pieces usually result from ideas driven by spontaneity & experimentation. Rather than working within strict parameters I choose to play with different color palettes, textures & finishes until I achieve my desired result. Currently my favorite collection is the “Aurora Vases”, these vases bend & fold in unique organic patterns that capture & project light onto their surroundings.
designeers
What do you feel is the most challenging part of being an artist?
ruben
The consistency of showing up for yourself and your work every single day from a place of acceptance rather than judgment.
“My favorite pieces usually result from ideas driven by spontaneity & experimentation.”
austin fields
designeers
What does a typical day look like in the studio?
AUSTIN
Each day is different. I balance my time between designing installations for clients, organizing inventory, going into production with my team, coldworking, surface treatment processes, photography, emails & creative meetings.
designeers
What’s the best mistake you have ever made?
AUSTIN
Creating out of passion & intuition vs. logic.
designeers
Your top 3 main sources of inspiration and references you are drawn to regularly:
AUSTIN
Patterns in nature: water reflections, earth surfaces, stone striations. Light; reflections, refractions, shadows & how it activates objects within its path. Travel: constantly moving, evolving, experiencing different ways of life & architecture around the world.
designeers
On your coffee table right now?
AUSTIN
Art: Joe Cariati Ivory glass vase filled with Stargazer Lilies
Books: Light-Space-Surface, Josef Albers in Mexico, Verner Panton: Collected Works
Scent: Maison Louis Marie, No 04. candle
designeers
Your top 3 instagram accounts to follow:
austin
Joe Cariati, The Future Perfect, Kelly Wearstler.
designeers
Design hero:
austin
James Turrell and Olafur Eliasson.
Portrait Photographer: Hayca Bunevacz
All work shot by: Cydney Cosette
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