 Carl Radke was one
of the vanguard of young artists who participated in the
Renaissance of American Art Glass in the early 1970's.
Originated by Tiffany in 1881, and popular during the early part
of the nineteenth century, Lustre Art Glass had fallen out of
favor about 1925, and had practically become a lost art. The art
programs of several California universities began to rekindle an
interest in glass blowing in general and in Silver Lustre Art
Glass specifically, in the later part of the 60's. Several of
the young artists became fascinated by the medium and caught up
in the challenge of re-discovering the complex and sophisticated
art form.
Lustre Glass is a very
specialized glassblowing medium. Because of the silver content
in the glass, it has always been one of the most costly forms of
glass ever produced. In addition to the high cost of the raw
materials used in Lustre Glass, other factors prevent this
volatile studio glass from being mass-produced in a large
factory environment. The raw glass can only be maintained in the
oven for a short period of time before the color, quality and
texture of the glass batch begins to degenerate. Not only the
specific formulas and high raw material costs, but the
experience and technique of maintaining this volatile form of
glass in a usable state, has kept the blowing of Silver Lustre
Art Glass in the hands of a few skillful artisans. The
glassblower must be chemist as well as craftsman to work
successfully in this medium.
Carl Radke is one of
only a few glassblowers out of the thousands in the United
States who continues to work in this difficult and traditional
glass. His skill with glass and glass decoration has allowed him
to "play" with the medium and to develop this unique
collection.
Carl Radke's glass has
been displayed in numerous galleries and exhibitions since
Phoenix was created in 1975, and is considered to be highly collectible.
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Education:
- 1968-70 Glendale
College, Graphics Major
- 1970-72 Brooks
Institute, Fine Art, BFA Degree, Honors
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Galleries/Shows:
- 1978 Corning Museum
Shop
- 1980 Orr's Gallery,
San Diego
One-Man show
- 1986 First
International One of a Kind Goblet Show, Glass
House, Art Glass, Seattle, WA
Purchase Award
- 1987 Central Coast
Craft Maker's Show
Honorable mention
- 1992 Crystal Fox
Gallery, Carmel
- 1993 A.C.E. Show,
Baltimore
- 1993 Buyers Market of
American Craft, Boston
- 1994 Buyers Market of
American Craft, Philadelphia
- 1995
Pilgrim Glass International
- 1996 Buyers Market of
American Craft, Philadelphia
- 1997 ACC,
Columbus, Ohio
- 1998 Buyers Market of
American Craft, Philadelphia
- 1998 ACC,
Baltimore
- 1999 Buyers Market of
American Craft, Philadelphia
- 2000
Central Coast Craftsmaker's show, San Luis Obispo
The Prestigious Seeker's Gallery Award
- 2002 ACGA,
Fort Mason, San Francisco
- 2002 ACGA,
Palo Alto
- 2003 ACGA,
Fort Mason, San Francisco
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