Stephen Brucker

My flameworked borosilicate (Pyrex) glass sculptures serve as a metaphor for my lived experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. By interpreting structures found in nature in the most delicate form the material will permit, I pursue conceptual themes signifying home, rebirth, memory, belonging, and protection. Borosilicate is an exceptionally strong glass that resists thermal shock and allows for fine detail. Metaphorically, this material is a signifier of the way I view myself and other LGBTQIA+ individuals. My work, much like my community, appears delicate. However, by design, there is an unseen strength and durability that belies its aesthetic appearance.