The art of glassblowing has been around for thousands of years. It is a craft that requires both creative vision and physical skills to create something beautiful from molten glass, but only a few have achieved the level of mastery that John Moran has attained. Moran is an American glass and mixed-media artist living and working in Belgium. His exceptional glass-blown sculptures reflecting current events, politics, and society are on one side, but the way his life has slowly shaped and transformed in the hands of time is a tale to be told.
Originally from Philadelphia, Moran was born into a working-class family to a nurse mother and a psychiatrist father. Moran has always had a knack for the arts despite his background, but this flair has developed into a passion after a major blow. Moran’s father passed away when he was 10 years old, though it is a terrible thing to experience as a child, it ultimately spurred him on to take chances and pursue his dreams.
Just Like Him. Photo: Marble Media Official, Netflix, David Leyes
American Idols. Photo: Delaware Contemporary
American Idols. Photo: Delaware ContemporaryAmerican Idols.
American Idols. Photo: Delaware Contemporary
American Idols. Photo: Delaware Contemporary
American Idols. Photo: Delaware Contemporary
American Idols. Photo: Delaware Contemporary
The journey was not easy, and it took him many years of hard work and dedication to become a legend in the glass-blowing world. During all these years, Moran worked hard to improve his skills by doing side jobs and working in studios all over the US. He also spent a year and a half teaching English in China, which was an eye-opening experience that exposed him to various cultures and taught him a lot. However, becoming an artist in residenceat WheatonArts was a defining moment in his life, giving him the opportunity to focus solely on his work.
At WheatonArts, Moran was given the chance to develop his skills and refine his craft through practice, focus, and dedicated time in the studio. During this period, he created one of his most iconic works of art,the installation of the American Presidents. Titled: American Idols. While creating this work, he developed unique and impressive techniques that helped him achieve mastery, making him a recognized namein the glass-making world.
Soon after completing his MFA and perfecting his techniques for making large, figurative sculptures out of glass and mixed media, Moran relocated to Belgium in 2013 and established Gent Glas, a public glass studio with a focus on the local artist community.
Slowly transforming from an unknown artist to a glassblowing legend, Moran has come far in his journey. His remarkable works of art have been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions. Moreover, he recently made a major splash as he
became the winner of Netflix’s Blown Away Season 3, which earned him not only worldwide success but also a residency at the famous Corning Museum of Art.
Visit his instagram @johnsleepymoran , or his website, Backdoorart, to learn more about Moran and his work.
