About Scott Summerfield
I create two bodies of work. The first consists of functional objects which includes vases, candlesticks, paperweights, etc. The second body, which I am truly passionate about, is my sculptural work. My process involves hand blown parts, which are later cut, ground, polished and assembled. Although my works are titled as recognizable familiar objects, such as bottles or teapots, they are purely sculptural forms. The intention is not for a bottle to function as a vessel, rather to stimulate the viewer through its movement, color, fluidity, and grace. Many of my works include found objects such as metal gears and bolts. The combination of materials produces a complementary tension that I strive to create.
I visualize and sketch my sculptures as individual parts, later to be transformed into formal objects. Working with glass in this manner is not a traditional approach to the medium. It allows me to create the slick lines and polished look that I strive for. A delicate balance of beauty and tension are what makes this work unique and curious. I have worked in this format instinctively since the beginning of my glass experience. In my first class I was cutting up vases and bowls and creating nontraditional objects. It just felt right.
My environments, past and current, often seep into my work subconsciously. Growing up on the Southeast coast of North Carolina, it has been natural to abstract from coastal life of the sea. My past series of work consisted of birds and insects, which was a direct response to my upbringing on the coast. My most current work of trains, guns, and airplanes is influenced by my brief experience of living in Minneapolis, MN. This period of my life contributed to my awareness of the industrial aspects of a city.