Lance Friedman
Born: February 25, 1954
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Nationality: American
Occupation: Glass Artist, Educator
Website: lancefriedmansculpture.com
Early Life and Education
Lance Friedman is the son of a French holocaust survivor Helene Herson (nee Caplan). His father died when Lance was 4 years old forcing his mother to return to work to support the family. Raised in the Uptown area of Chicago in the 1950âs and 1960âs, the area was home to many expat Abstract expressionist Western European artists. Soon younger artists moved into Uptownâs affordable housing and would become part of the Chicago Imagists movement of painting. Friedman would go from studio to studio after school and weekends to watch these artists create their work. He credits his exposure to their work as what influenced him to pursue a life in the arts. Originally starting in ceramics at the Kansas City Art Institute, he learned from well-known instructors Ken Ferguson and Victor Babu. However, he found his true passion in glass art and transferred to the University of California, Berkeley. He studied under Marvin Lipofsky, who was a student of Harvey Littleton. The glass department moved to what is now California College of the Arts, where Friedman graduated with honors and high distinction in 1975. In the 1980s, Friedman continued his education by attending workshops at the New York Contemporary Glass Workshop in Manhattan.
Career and Artistic Practice
In 1987, Friedman founded Shatter Glass Group in Chicago, marking the city's first official glassblowing studio and school. Over the years, he taught glassblowing and visual arts ideation for 35 years, influencing numerous students and hosting
international artists such as Lino Tagliapietra whom he met in Italy earlier while in
Murano and Luccio Bubbaco. His work is featured in the permanent collections of major museums, including the Corning Museum of Glass and the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington.
Friedman's artistic approach evolved from functional Italian-style glasswork to mixed-media, highly conceptual pieces He drew inspiration from artists like H.C. Westermann, Dennis Oppenheim and Donald Lipsky who all emphasized the importance of ideas over adherence to a particular style or medium. This approach positioned him as an outlier in the glass community during the 1980s and 1990s.
Exhibitions and Recognitions
- Friedman has participated in numerous exhibitions worldwide, including:
- Byrne Symposium Invitee, Northlands Glass, Lybster Scotland, 2016
- 20 Instuctors, Corning Museum of Glass Studio Show, Corning NY 2016
- Commissioned installation at Forest Park Orthodonics, Forest Park IL 2015
- Permanent Collection of the Museum of Glass, Tacoma WA, 2011
- Merwin and Wakeley Gallery, Weslayen University, âMoving Targetâ. One man show and lecture, Bloomington, IL, 2008
- Morlen Sinoway Gallery, Chicago, IL. One man show and lecture, 2007
- Lance Friedman Sculpture, Habitat Galleries, Chicago, IL, 2001 -2004
- International Glass Invitational, Habatat Galleries, Pontiac, MI, 2000
- New Talent for the Millennium, GLASS Magazine, March 2000
- Lance Friedman Sculpture Habitat Galleries, Chicago, IL, 1999
- Lance Friedman, Sculpture in Glass, Morlen Sinoway Gallery, Chicago, IL, 1997
- Finalist, The International Exhibition of Glass, Kanazawa, Japan, 1995
- Morlen Sinoway Gallery, Chicago, IL, 1994
- Gallerie L, Hamburg, Germany, 1994
- New Glass Review 15, The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY, 1994
- Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL, 1991-1992
- Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA, 1992
- Form and Object: Contemporary Interpretations of Craft Traditions, University of Wyoming Art Museum, Laramie, WY, 1992
- Glass Weekend â91, Wheaton Village, Millville, NJ, 1991
- Marx Gallery, Chicago, IL, 1990-1991
- The International Exhibition of Glass, Kanazawa, Japan, 1990
- Expressions in Glass, AES Gallery, Chicago, IL, 1990
- Permanent collection, Glasmuseum, Ebeltoft, Denmark, 1990
- Limn Gallery, San Francisco, CA, 1989
- Linklater (British Law Firm) Public Sculpture, Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY, 2006
- Collection, LaSalle Systems Leasing Corporation, Chicago, IL, 2000
- Collection, Lancaster Colony Corporation, Columbus, OH, 2000
- Grant Selection Committee, Chicago Artistsâ International Grant, Chicago, IL, 1997
- Permanent Collection of the Utatsuyama Crafts Workshop Museum Collection, Kanazawa, Japan, 1996
- Recipient, Chicago Artistsâ International Grant to teach and exhibit in Japan, 1996
- Finalist, The International Exhibition of Glass, Kanazawa, Japan, 1995
- Corporate Collection, Amoco Oil Co., 1992
- Permanent collection, Glasmuseum, Ebeltoft, Denmark, 1990
- Collection of Commission on Indian Affairs, Portland, OR, 1990
- Executive Committee, Board of the Glass Arts Society 2011 thru 2014
He was also featured in GLASS Magazine's "New Talent for the Millennium" in March 2000.
Teaching and Mentorship
As an educator, Friedman was a visiting artist at the Corning Museum of Glass and the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington. He also taught at universities across the United States, Canada, and Japan. His commitment to teaching and mentorship has left a lasting impact on the glass art community.
Recent Work and Current Practice
After closing Shatter Glass Group in 2022, Friedman moved on to create glass and other conceptual works using artificial intelligence image generation. This new path has attracted interest from curators and collectors who appreciate his fresh take on art. Currently in remission from cancer Friedman keeps exploring the link between technology and traditional glass art.
Personal Life
Friedman resides in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to his career as an artist and educator, he has balanced his professional work with his lifelong passion for music and serves as a bassist in various groups throughout Chicago.
Legacy
Lance Friedman's work in glass art, as both an artist and educator, has greatly influenced modern glass sculpture. His commitment to new ideas and teaching has inspired many artists and students. He has left a lasting impact on the art community.
References
- Lance Friedman Sculpture
- UrbanGlass â 3 Questions For ... Lance Friedman
- Shatter Glass Group â Facebook
- Tacoma Museum of Glass - Meet the artist