Description: Volcanic Fulgurite is the result of fusing two sources of naturally occurring glass.  A fulgurite is the hollow glass tube that is formed when lightning strikes earth that is particularly high in silica content.  The intense heat from the lightning bolt fuses the silica in the soil, and when the conditions are right, a glass caste of the lighting is left in the ground.  Obsidian is a volcanic glass created by rapidly cooled lava with high silica content.  The lava cools too fast for the molecules to crystallize and an amorphous solid (glass) is the result.
This piece was inspired by weather phenomena called “volcanic lightning” or “dirty thunderstorms.”  This is when a lightning storm occurs within the plume of ash expelled from a volcanic eruption.  Using obsidian and an adaptation on the process of fulgurite formation, Volcanic Fulgurite is the hypothetical result of this type of volcanic lightning storm.

Statement:  Brett’s studio practice is based on material experimentation coinciding with explorations of phenomena and phenomenological experience.  As such, he often looks to the natural world for materials or experiences to use as catalysts in his work.  Brett becomes very invested with the materials and processes he employs until he has enough experiential knowledge and understanding to allow for an organic evolution to take place.  The piece then ultimately generates a sense of curiosity in the viewer reminiscent of the artist’s own curiosity while creating it.  Brett’s work subverts and blurs the lines between the natural and the man-made, as well as blending the practices of art and science.
Brett was born and raised in Illinois north of Chicago.  In 2010 he received his BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design.  Since then Brett has studied at the Penland School of Crafts and was recently a visiting artist at Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia.