Andy Paiko

Glass artist, Andy Paiko, is known for ambitious, technical works, which explore the metaphorical and symbolic tension of form versus function. He considers his goal as an artist to examine the role of glass in relation to its function – to make things that try to both communicate and imitate purpose. He was named Searchlight Artist 2008 by the American Craft Council, and was selected for the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery's 2012 exhibition 40 under 40: Craft Futures.

"My career as a glass artist began unexpectedly, yet has evolved as a function of my personality. Glass has become my primary voice, my way of communicating experience, and my creative focus. Each piece could be metaphorical; it could comment on the difficulty of decision-making in everyday life, the relationship of society with nature or language, or the way the mind grasps experience through dreams." – Andy Paiko