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David Montpetit developed an interest in metalworking in his teens. After a long hiatus, devoted to his growing family of four daughters, he revived this interest and also incorporated glass to lighten the composition. In 1992, David’s art evolved
almost exclusively into the glass medium. He began making slumped and fused glass masks out of recycled glass. His wife’s studies in anthropology and the Northwest Coast Native tradition helped inspire him to continue taking his work in new directions.
A radical transformation took place when David started collaborative work with Northwest Coast Native artists. This has led to further explorations in developing his original designs. The sharing of the visions resulted in a blending of innovative Old
World technology with timeless aboriginal images.
David Montpetit's process begins with a flat plate of clear glass, the thickness of the glass depending on the design effect that is to be interpreted into the glass. The glass is then
“resisted”, where a heavy rubber mat with a glued backing is applied to the flat glass, which completely protects this working surface. The intricate line design is placed on the resisted glass and carefully glued into place. The glass is now ready to
have the design transferred so that only the areas to be carved are exposed. To accomplish this, the design is carefully hand cut through the protective rubber resist with a sharp steel blade. The first parts of the design to be carved are peeled,
exposing the underlying glass. The piece is then moved into a sandblasting booth where frosting and shading is accomplished with the use of a highly abrasive aluminium oxide. When the carving has been completed, the remaining resist is removed from the
piece and it is thoroughly cleaned and dried.
Once it is clean, the piece is placed on custom slumping steel moulds and put into a glass kiln, designed by David, where a combination of heat and gravity form the final shape. After the firing,
cold working techniques, including polishing and glazing, are utilized. Texturing, stippling and sand casting are used, as well as gold leaf gilding for some of the pieces.
Light plays an important part in the perception and image created by
the glass through its capacity to refract it. David explains: “In my concept, I attempt to achieve a more personal approach to working directly with the medium. I’m trying to create a new vision, where the object in the glass can break free from its
restraints. I’m taking images and breaking them out of the glass, without destroying the work. Essentially, the technique gives life to the piece.”
The merit of David Montpetit’s distinctive concept is quickly attaining worldwide recognition.
David continues to break new ground with these explorations, creating a widening range of techniques of his own invention.
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