Gary Bodker is exactly the type of artist we love to showcase at Unison. Based in Portland, Oregon, Gary is the creator of striking glassware pieces. Beyond the eye-catching, colorful designs, Gary’s handmade approach to his creations makes each one a uniquely beautiful work of art.
Growing as an Artist
Gary Bodker didn’t set out to become a glassblower. When he enrolled at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in 2005, he had his sights set on an architecture degree. “After the first semester, I enrolled in an introductory glassblowing class and was hooked,” Gary says. “I decided to switch my major from architecture to glass. From then on, I was in the glass studio as much as I could be.”
After RISD, Gary moved to Portland, where he began working in glassblowing studios. Those years of refining his craft eventually led him to open his own studio in 2014. Today, he leads a team of two to three glassblowers who help produce many of the smaller items in his collection. But even with assistance, everything is still completely handmade and closely directed by Gary himself. “My intention was to always have a team make some of the work so that I could focus on design, refinement and new products. Glassblowing is a team sport, and it’s one of the aspects that I love about glass.”
Gary’s glassblowing process has evolved over the years. First trained with an emphasis on Italian-style techniques, he later learned about the production side during his years working in other studios. And while his glassblowing technique is masterful, there’s a significant level of artistry that begins well before the final products are made.
“When I come up with a new idea, I usually ‘sketch’ it out by making the object over and over until I can refine the process and design,” Gary explains. “Once I figure out the most efficient production method and overall aesthetic, I translate that into full production and train my team on how it’s made.”
Functional Glassware for the Home
At Unison, we’re proud to feature a collection of Gary Bodker’s modern glassware pieces. Each one is handblown at Gary’s Portland studio, which results in variations in size and shape. Featuring organic curves and lines, these pieces are reminiscent of soft shapes found in nature. In addition, a rainbow of rich hues is woven throughout the collection, from soft, warm browns and reds to vibrant blues, oranges and yellows.
At the heart of these decorative pieces is a naturally evolved artistic sensibility. “My main goal has always been to try and let the glass have a voice of its own. As a glassblower, I can control the glass, but I enjoy setting up rules for the glass and letting it find its own shape,” Gary says.
You can see how this process translates into singular forms in the colored glassware collection at Unison. Each of Gary’s taper candleholders and tealight holders features a wide, rounded base that almost resembles a ripple from a drop of water. The bud vase pairs a small opening with an orb-like shape, creating a pleasant sense of balance. His glass tumblers and nesting bowls feature undulating rims that deliver a slightly different silhouette from every angle.
Equally important as the artistic inspiration, however, are the practical applications for these pieces. “I strive to make products that are not only beautiful but also functional,” Gary explains. “When form and function work together, I consider that a success.”
It doesn’t take much effort to imagine these simple yet beautiful pieces in any home. There might be a soft flicker of tinted candlelight streaming from a tealight holder in the bedroom, an elegant stem emerging from a vase in the entryway, or fresh fruit set out in a nesting bowl on the kitchen counter. The tinted glassware allows for mixing and matching or creating a coordinated set. Besides adding colorful accents to your own decor, the Gary Bodker glassware collection is perfect for gifting at housewarmings, weddings and other special occasions.