Josh Simpson, one of the most innovative figures to emerge from the studio glass movement, found early inspiration in the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933). Simpson, a Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts artist (born 1949), was captivated by the iridescent qualities of Tiffany & Company’s renowned Favrile glass. As a young glassmaker, he sought to replicate these exquisite glowing qualities, achieving luminous results. Over time, Simpson expanded on Tiffany’s work, developing new methods and formulas that pushed the boundaries of glassmaking. Despite being separated by a century, both artists are united by their unrelenting curiosity, high artistic standards, and fascination with the natural world. While Tiffany’s vases, lamps, and windows bring the beauty of gardens and landscapes into the homes of art lovers, Simpson’s glasswork invites viewers to consider the ocean’s depths, the night sky, and the frontiers of human exploration.
Gilded Echoes places the works of these two great American glassmakers in dialogue, examining Tiffany’s influence on Simpson and their shared creative impulses. The exhibition features early works by Simpson, alongside mature examples of his renowned starry New Mexico glass and vibrant, multicolored Corona glass. Displaying objects from the generous gift of collectors Katie and Jonathan Oakleaf, this exhibition offers a rare opportunity to view never-before-exhibited works by Simpson and enjoy the companion exhibition Tiffany’s Gardens in Glass.
