VAM galleries including this work:
The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art | Young at Art || VAM Home

Bluegrass music was born in Kentucky, but this group of bluegrass musicians was created by a native of France: internationally recognized glassblower Jean-Claude Novaro. Like Emil Frei’s stained glass windows, these large figures were created by combining individual pieces of glass. Novaro attaches the individual parts while the glass is still hot—unlike the stained glass process, which uses metal strips and solder to join individual parts.

About the Artist

Jean-Claude Novaro was born in Antibes, France, in 1943. At age 14, he began working as an apprentice under Eloi Monod, a celebrated glassmaker at the Biot glassworks. After six years of apprenticeship, Novaro became a “master of glass” at the Biot factory in 1963. He opened an independent glass studio in the early 1970s, and his work was well received in many major European cities.

In addition to his figurative sculpture, Novaro is recognized for his landscape forms combining brilliant colors with precious metals, iridescent and luminescent vessels created by the addition of natural and chemical materials, unique flame compositions, and works in crystal. He has developed several innovative techniques to achieve the effects he wants.

Classroom Ideas

Discussion: Vocabulary relevant to this piece includes three-dimensional, hue, texture, and form. Discuss the fact that we no longer live in isolated cultures. Why do you think the subject of bluegrass music would interest a French artist? What feeling does this piece give you? Compare this musical group with Pablo Picasso’s famous Three Musicians.

Activity: Research the apprenticeship system. What other types of activities have traditionally used apprentice systems?

Links

Numerous photos of Novaro’s work, additional information about his career, and a glossary of glassmaking terms can be found in the American Fine Art Gallery.
[www.americanfineartgallery.com/novaro/novaro.html]

The Philadelphia Museum of Art site includes a photo of Picasso’s Three Musicians.
[www.philamuseum.org/collections/modern_contemporary/1952-61-96.shtml]