Carl Radke

"I was one of the vanguard of young artists who participated in the renaissance of American art glass. Originated by Tiffany in 1881 and popular during the early part of the nineteenth century, lustre art glass fell out of favor in the 1920s and practically became a lost art. Interest in silver lustre art glass was rekindled in the late 1960s in several California university's curricula, where young artists became fascinated by the medium and took up the challenge of rediscovering this complex and sophisticated art form."

Lustre glass is a highly specialized glassblowing medium. Because of the silver content, it is one of the most costly forms of art glass. In addition to the high cost of the materials, other factors prevent this volatile glass from being mass produced in a large factory environment. The raw glass can only be maintained in the furnace for a short period of time before the color, quality, and texture begins to degenerate. The highly skilled technique is practiced by few. The glassblower must be a chemist as well as a craftsman to work successfully in the medium.

Radke is one of the few glassblowers in the US who continue to work in this difficult discipline. His skill and experience allows him to "play" with the medium to develop his unique collection of work.

His glass has been displayed in numerous galleries and exhibitions and is considered to be highly collectable.

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