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.
Exhibition made possible by the generosity of glass collectors Katie and Jonathan Oakleaf, reflecting their insightful acquisition of early works by Josh Simpson and philanthropic spirit.
Image: Iridescent Optic Vase (with Amethyst Highlights), 1983; Iridescent Flower Paperweight, 1978; and Vase with Silver Swirl, 1978; blown glass by Josh Simpson (American, born 1949). Gifts of Katie and Jonathan Oakleaf. Photography by John Polak.
An Exploration of Tiffany’s Gardens in Glass
Gilded Echoes: A Conversation with Artist Josh Simpson
Josh Simpson has spent more than 50 years making glass that combines his fascination with color, form, pattern, complexity, astrophysics, cosmology, high temperature chemistry, and the workings of the universe.
All of Simpson’s work is made with original formulas of glass that he has developed over the decades. These include: New Mexico Glass, a crystalline blue color with patterns perhaps reminiscent of the night sky or swirling seas; Tektite Glass, a gnarly, uncooperative substance made from the components of glass tektite meteorites; and Corona Glass, a vibrantly colored, swirling glass inspired by photos of deep space taken by the Hubble and James Webb telescopes. Simpson “Planets” are imaginary solid glass worlds that explore the idea of infinite worlds and civilizations beyond our own. The artist makes Planets from any or all of his original glass formulations, combined with handmade cane that he creates himself.
Josh Simpson’s glass studio has multiple furnaces that require monitoring throughout the night. As a result, he has spent countless hours walking in the dark from his house across a long driveway to the studio. At those odd hours, he is sometimes rewarded by the most amazing views of the Aurora Borealis, the Milky Way, constellations, lightning, and satellites. He never consciously tries to replicate exactly what he observes about the natural world and the universe around us, but all of these elements inspire him and are translated into his work.
