Matt Robertson is joined by Glass artist Taffy to discuss his journey into borosilicate glass, from his initial frustrations with painting to his fascination with the technical challenges of Boro.
Taffy shares insights on melting and coloring glass, as well as his work with plasma and innovative glass tools, including his signature rollers. Taffy offers advice for aspiring artists, emphasizing the importance of learning directly from the material. With entertaining anecdotes and little-known facts, this episode provides a captivating look into the art and science of glassmaking.
Also in this episode:
- Taffy initially got into glass blowing after becoming frustrated with the open-ended nature of painting, finding the immediacy and problem-solving aspects of glass more appealing.
- Transitioning from soft glass to borosilicate (Boro) glass presented new technical challenges for Taffy, including the need to carefully melt and homogenize different colored glasses.
- Taffy is fascinated by plasma and the science behind it, seeing it as an "anti-existentialist" experience that grounds him in his connection to the earth.
- Developing innovative glass tools, like his signature rollers, has been an important part of Taffy's practice, helping to make the physical demands of glassblowing more efficient and ergonomic.
- Taffy emphasizes the importance of following one's curiosity and learning directly from the glass itself when developing as a glass artist.
- The glass industry faces challenges around corporate espionage and the difficulty of patenting new innovations, but Taffy continues to push the boundaries of what's possible with borosilicate glass.
Subscribe To The Robertson Stash Podcast
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Connect With Matt RobertsonAbout Matt Roberston
Matt Robertson is a visionary artist who has made a significant mark in the glass art world with his unique matte-finished caricature sculptures, each reflecting pivotal moments from his life. His playful spirit shines through in his whimsical glass animal sculptures, often depicted in humorous scenarios that embody his vibrant personality. Inspired by creatures like giraffes, Robertson is captivated by the challenges of working with glass, a delicate medium that demands intense focus and energy, which he channels into his art. Each piece captures a dynamic energy, freezing it in time and offering a glimpse into his imaginative universe. After discovering his passion for glassblowing at Sheridan College in Ontario, he honed his craft in Eugene, Oregon, before returning to Canada to co-founded the Edy Roy Glass Gallery, a pioneering space that merges high art with functional glass pipes. Now based in Evergreen, Colorado, Robertson continues to evolve as a glass artist while hosting "The Robertson Stash" podcast and showcasing his work in galleries worldwide, all while advocating for contemporary glass art and its vibrant possibilities.
Glass Artists Know That Glass Has A Memory Of Everything That’s Happened To It | feat. Taffy The Robertson Stash Podcast: The Robertson Stash Podcast: Motivational Stories from Glass Artists and Life’s True Innovators
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com