Thaddeus Wolfe is an American designer and artist, known for his glass vessels, light fixtures, and wall-bound pieces made through a "unique molding process that combines one-of-a-kind plaster casts and expert glassblowing". His glasswork is multi-layered and highly textured, often incorporating brass and bronze.Wolfe takes inspiration from multiple sources including the visual complexity in simple repeated structures from minerals, plants, and other natural phenomena as well as art and architectural movements of the early 20th century.

Thaddeus Wolfe's primary body of work -- the Assemblage series -- began as an exploration of mineral forms found in nature, and evolved into its own language with references to architecture and modern art. His signature glass techniques result in a rough texture and a form reminiscent of Brutalist architecture, in particular. Many of Wolfe's pieces are created using a molding process; each single mold can only be used once. Wolfe layers color in his glass, then carves through the layers to reveal the stratum and interior color.

His unique process begins by sculpting a form from broken and carved styrofoam pieces, using meticulous yet improvisatory methods. From this form, Wolfe generates a single-use plaster mold for casting the glass. Color and texture are achieved by layering different tints of glass onto a glass bubble, which is inflated into the cavity of the heated mold. After un-molding the piece, Wolfe carves and polishes certain surfaces to reveal the interior strata. The resulting works which he often refers to as Assemblages are part painterly, part geological.

Thaddeus Wolfe is represented by Friedman Benda Gallery in New York at present. Friedman Benda represents prominent established and emerging designers, as well as historically significant estates that span five continents and five generations. With the goal to expand the dialogue in design and explore perspectives that have previously been marginalized, Friedman Benda identifies and advances key narratives that intersect contemporary design, craft, architecture, art, and technological research. Since 2007, the gallery’s exhibitions, publications and collaborations with institutions have played a vital role in the development of the contemporary design market and scholarship. With locations in New York and Los Angeles, Friedman Benda’s engagement with the global design community promotes synthesis between leading thinkers and makers and seeks opportunities to advance new connections across the field.

Portraits courtesy of Friedman Benda Gallery.