Transmit / Absorb / Reflect, the exhibition title for Eric Franklin’s latest body of work, makes reference to both the process and the subject matter of his new flameworked glass. Built of blown glass rods that have been filled with silver or with neon or argon gas, many of Franklin’s new sculptures were inspired by the shapes of neurons. Franklin explains, “The way glass behaves with light is similar to how a neuron interprets experience. Glass will either transmit, absorb, or reflect light. Neurons, when making a decision will ‘transmit’ information, ‘absorb’ experience into memory, and allow us to ‘reflect' and recall those experiences. The areas of the sculptures that are luminous are transmitting information, the areas that are black are absorbing information, and the areas that are mirrors are reflecting information.” Viewers will be captivated by the elegant beauty of these sculptures, together with the fascinating process of their making and the complex ideas that inform their subject matter.
Originally from Texas, Eric Franklin graduated with a BFA from Arizona State University in Tempe in 2000. He also studied at Pilchuck Glass School in 2002 and 2004. He has completed several private and public commissions, most recently for Portland State University’s Student Recreation Center. Franklin has been in one-person and group exhibitions across the Western US, and his work is in collections including the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.; the Museum of Northwest Art, La Conner, WA; and Ater Wynne LLP, Portland, OR.
In 2013, Franklin and his work were featured in Crystal Skulls, a Discovery Channel program.