David Thai

David Thai 1David Thai 2

ARTIST STATEMENT: Glass is the medium that best reflects my innermost feelings. When approaching glass in its fluid state, I am deeply moved by the metamorphosis from a molten state to the solidified shape of my design.

As the Italian glass artist Livio Seguso said, glass is “a material that seems to be born out of the sea to live in the air shaped by fire; it fascinates and ignites the imagination.”

Signature Series & Classical Series:
One unique feature of my work is the use of silver foil on the surface of the blown glass in both of my “Signature Series” and “Classical Series”. This silver foil is specially ordered from Japan.

This “Classical Series” is the interpretation of the classical Asian vessels. In the “Atlas Series”, the silver leaf decoration on the surface of the vessel represents the surface of imaginary planets. The shape of the vessel is fashioned after one of the four parts of the star maps of the Constellations.

I am also inspired by the intricate cane work of Italian master glass blowers and designers. Through the exploration of these techniques, I attempt a balance of craftsmanship and concept.

Bounty Series:
Another body of work was inspired by memories of my childhood fishing experiences in Asia is the “Bounty Series”. The very intricate cane pattern “Reticello” represents fishing nets. “It has always been a bountiful experience whether it was a net full of fish or just a few, I am always thankful of what is given to me.”

Reticello is a very old Venetian cane technique, which produces wonderfully interesting effects. It is also one of the most labour intensive and difficult techniques to accomplish correctly. When completed correctly, it yields an optic illusion of a fishing net pattern with small air bubbles trapped within each intersecting field. Reticello technique continues to be one of the most challenging and visually exciting of all Venetian-styled techniques.

Stylobate Series:
Currently, I am developing a new body of work called Stylobate, which combines basic glass forming skills with a Reticello technique and incorporating Japanese Silver Foil. Stylobate is the uppermost step of the platform that supports columns in classical architecture. It is capable of supporting the load of the whole building. Stylobate, as an equivalent to glass- forming, is the three fundamental shapes that every hot glass-forming artist should learn. They are the Cylinder, Sphere and Cone.

My work has always attempted to balance technique and concept. This new style of work is perfect for my field of specialty because it requires both technique and concept. I am always fine-tuning the techniques used to create new work.

Whether I am creating a blown glass vessel or a piece of glass sculpture, my focus is on both the creation of a timeless design with a contemporary style and a high level of technical skill. I aim toward creating objects that beautify their surroundings.

BIOGRAPHY: David Thai is a Chinese Canadian Glass Artist who emigrated from Vietnam in 1985. He completed his business degree at Ryerson University and went on to pursue Glassblowing at Sheridan College where he graduated from the Crafts and Design Glass Program in 2002.

Upon graduating David Thai was accepted as a full-time Resident of Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. There he has been both a Resident and an Instructor of Glassblowing.

During this time he has exhibited his work across Canada and also in the United States.
After three years at Harbourfront Centre, David moved to the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. Currently David Thai is creating his work and instructing glassblowing at the Kingston Glass Studio & Gallery in Kingston Ontario.

Whether David Thai is creating a blown glass vessel or a piece of glass sculpture, his focus is on both the creation of a timeless design with a contemporary style and a high level of technical skill. He aims toward creating objects that beautify their surroundings.

EDUCATION:
1999 – 2002 Oakville, ON
Sheridan College, Crafts & Design Glass Program Canada, Diploma obtained
1994 – 1998 Canada, Bachelor of Commerce obtained
Ryerson University, Business Program, Toronto, ON ,


WORKSHOPS
2000 ‘Australian Roll-Up’ Scott Chaseling & Kirstie Rea Sheridan College, Glass Studio, Oakville, ON Canada
2001 ‘The Hotter the Better’ Michael Schunke Sheridan College, Glass Studio, Oakville, ON Canada
2003 ‘Interpretations of Classic Italian Techniques’ Richard Marquis
Harbourfront Centre, Glass Studio, Toronto, ON Canada


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2008 - Full-Time Resident at the Kingston Glass Studio &
Gallery Kingston, Ontario, Canada 2005 -- 2008 Full-time Resident at the Living Arts Centre, Glass
Studio Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
2002 – 2005 Full-time Resident at Harbourfront Centre, Glass Studio Toronto, Ontario, Canada


TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2008 -- Glassblowing Instructor, Kingston Glass Studio &
Gallery Kingston, Ontario, Canada
2005 to 2008 Glassblowing Instructor, the Living Arts Centre, Glass Studio, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
2002 – 2005 Glassblowing Instructor, Harbourfront Centre, Glass Studio, Toronto, ON Canada
Teaching Assistant, Sheridan College, Glass Studio, Teaching Assistant for Blaise Campbell, Sheridan
2002 – 2003 Oakville, ON
Canada College, Glass Studio, Oakville, ON Canada
2006 2002
Exhibition Craft Project Grant: Individual, Ontario Arts Council Award of Excellence, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
2002

AWARDS
2007 Travel Grant: SOFA - Chicago, Canada Arts Council 2007 Decorative / Applied Arts Awards, Toronto Outdoor Art

EXHIBITIONS
2007 Sculptural Object & Functional Art (SOFA): Represented by: Ben Goedhart Gallery 2006 Sculptural Object & Functional Art (SOFA): Represented by the Living Arts Centre 2005 Toronto Art Fair: Represented by Sandra Ainsley Gallery.
‘Invitational Glass Exhibition: Contemporary Glassworks
The Guild Shop of Ontario Crafts Council, Toronto, ON 2004 ‘Gallery Artists
Sandra Ainsley Gallery at The Distillery, Toronto, ON ‘Harbourfront Centre Resident Group Exhibition Material Matters Gallery, Toronto, ON ‘Harbourfront Centre & Fusion Collaboration Exhibition’
Lafrenier & Pia Gallery, Ottawa, ON ‘Same Time, Same Place’ York Quay Gallery 1, Harbourfront Centre,
Toronto, ON ‘Feature Show’ Harbinger Gallery, Waterloo, ON
2003 -- ‘7th Annual Canadian Glass Show: Featured Artist’ West End Gallery, Victoria, BC
‘Best Of Exhibition’ First Canadian Place, Toronto, ON 2002 -- ‘Gallery Artists’ Petroff Gallery, Toronto, ON
2001
‘Gallery Artists’ West End Gallery, Edmonton, AB ‘Gallery Artists’ West End Gallery, Victoria, BC
‘Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition’ Nathan Phillip’s Square, Toronto, ON
‘Harbourfront Residents Group Exhibition’
Snapdragon Gallery, Contemporary Craft, Ottawa, ON ‘Gallery Artists’ Lafrenier & Pia Gallery, Ottawa, ON