thedailychannel.com — recommended books

Josh Simpson Glass Artist
by Josh Simpson and Andrew Chaikin

This book has some of the most surprising images of glass art I have ever seen.

And there's a very good description by Andrew Chaikin of the arduous and interesting challenge Josh Simpson undertakes every time he makes one of his signature pieces, the intricate and astounding megaplanet. He actually tells you exactly how it's done, with some of the most evocative photographs of molten glass you can imagine.

So, the book captures the process of creating glass art. It memorializes the products. And, by showing the earth as seen from space, juxtaposed with finished pieces of glass art, it also shows his inspiration for many of the pieces. The book definitely succeeds in showing the artistic imagination at work, which it clearly holds as a goal; it's more than just a catalog.

But then all of a sudden, the book sort of shifts gears, from Andrew Chaikin's objective yet wonder-filled description of the Josh Simpson at work in his hot shop, to the warmth and openness of Josh Simpson's own autobiographical voice. How he first got interested in glass, his fascinating experience of discovering pieces he had thrown away ... woops! I don't want to give everything away!

If you are at all interested in glass art, Josh Simpson Glass Artist is definitely worth reading.

reviewed Saturday April 14, 2001