David has been incorporating neon in his work since the mid 80 ’ s. Often the glass/neon is the dominant material. Other works express just t he subtle glow of colored light combined with carved wood or other sculptural materials.
Growing up on an orange grove in the rural citrus country of Southern California, yet just a mile away from classic examples of State Route 66 neon signage left an early impression of multi colored light isolated by the darkness of the night. This childhood of juxtaposition, combined with witnessing breat htaking displays of the Aurora Borealis in Alaska while studying Tlingit art and culture in his mid teen’s set David on the path of light.
Learning, teaching, sharing skills and knowledge about glass, neon, art and Pacific rim culture ’s are important aspects of David’s life today. Aside from working in his studio, David teaches at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, taught past classes at the Pilchuck Glass School, Washington State, Corning Museum of Glass, NY, Urban Glass, NY and has given works hops internationally. He is an active board member of MONA (Museum of Neon A rt) and works periodically with a team of Alaska Native totem carvers on l arge commissions.
“I am forever in debt to the sign industry for technological advances as well as supplies, but the work I do is far from advertising and purely motiv ated by self expression. My expressions are a visual diary of growing up with hero’s, fantasy’s, fear, humor and a path of spirituality and cultural enlightenment. I have always been challenged with the skill of working with my hands. The process of working with glass takes me to the limit of my abilit y. The addition of the “ noble gasses ” multiplies this challenge and is visually and spiritually satisfying for me.”
David Svenson’s artwork gallery
