Preston Singletary

Born in 1963 in San Francisco, Preston Singletary is an artist of Tlingit cultural heritage. His glass forms have established him as one of the most celebrated Northwest Coast artists of his generation. Singletary marries European glass blowing traditions to those of his Tlingit heritage, utilizing layering and etching techniques to create sculptures that are informed by the stories and images of Tlingit tradition and art. These traditions are revitalized and carried forward through this material, from Singletary:

"I've come to see that glass brings another dimension to indigenous art. The artistic perspective of indigenous people reflects a unique and vital visual language which has connections to the ancient codes and symbols of the land, and this interaction has informed and inspired my own work…My work with glass transforms the notion that Native artists are only best when traditional materials are used. It has helped advocate on the behalf of all indigenous people—affirming that we are still here—that that we are declaring who we are through our art in connection to our culture."

Singletary was educated at the Pilchuck Glass School and studied with Lino Tagliapietra, Cecco Ongaro, Benjamin Moore, Dorit Brand, Judy Hill and Dan Dailey. Singletary has taught, lectured and exhibited internationally since 1989. Since this time he has received many honours and awards for his work, recently including, the Rakow Commission from the Corning Museum of Glass, as well as the Mayor's Award for Diversified Arts in Indian Art NW in Portland, Oregon. Singletary also enjoys collaborations and has worked with other First Nations, Maori, Hawaiian and Australian aboriginal groups in producing pieces and exhibits.

His works can be found in many collections and museums internationally including The British Museum (London, UK), The Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA), The Seattle Art Museum (Seattle WA), the Corning Museum of Glass (Corning, NY), the Mint Museum of Art and Design (Charlotte, NC), the Heard Museum (Phoenix, AZ), and the Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC). In 2009, the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA, launched a major mid-career survey of his work, entitled Preston Singletary: Echoes, Fire, and Shadows. This exhibition featured Clan House, his largest commission to date, and traveled to venues across North America.

11 items

Raven Protects the Children
Preston Singletary (Tlingit)

Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Modernism. This new body of work i...

Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Modernism. This new body of work is reflective of his different styles, from representing traditional cultural objects or making contemporary abstractions inspired by Modernism. His work continues the narrative thread of Tlingit style while reflecting on new directions for an ancient culture. Raven is one of the most recognized figures in Northwest Coast art and oral tradition. Viewed oftentimes as a transformer and a trickster, R...

$38,000.00

Tlingit Basket, Amber/Midnight
Preston Singletary (Tlingit)

Tlingit glass artist Preston Singletary is well known for these beautiful basket forms. He refere...

Tlingit glass artist Preston Singletary is well known for these beautiful basket forms. He references objects like the traditional spruce root baskets from his Tlingit heritage in his glasswork as a way of rethinking and re-contextualizing the item. In doing so he imbues these pieces with the elegance and beauty that the traditional woven forms are so well known for.

$11,000.00

Tlingit Basket, Amber/Orange
Preston Singletary (Tlingit)

Tlingit glass artist Preston Singletary is well known for these beautiful basket forms. He refere...

Tlingit glass artist Preston Singletary is well known for these beautiful basket forms. He references objects like the traditional spruce root baskets from his Tlingit heritage in his glasswork as a way of rethinking and re-contextualizing the item. In doing so he imbues these pieces with the elegance and beauty that the traditional woven forms are so well known for.

$4,700.00

Tlingit Basket, Blue/Midnight
Preston Singletary (Tlingit)

Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Modernism. This new body of work i...

Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Modernism. This new body of work is reflective of his different styles, from representing traditional cultural objects or making contemporary abstractions inspired by Modernism. His work continues the narrative thread of Tlingit style while reflecting on new directions for an ancient culture.

$4,700.00

Tlingit Basket, Cobalt/Blue
Preston Singletary (Tlingit)

Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Modernism. This new body of work i...

Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Modernism. This new body of work is reflective of his different styles, from representing traditional cultural objects or making contemporary abstractions inspired by Modernism. His work continues the narrative thread of Tlingit style while reflecting on new directions for an ancient culture.

$4,000.00

Tlingit Basket, Cornflower/Cedar
Preston Singletary (Tlingit)

Tlingit glass artist Preston Singletary is well known for these beautiful basket forms. He refere...

Tlingit glass artist Preston Singletary is well known for these beautiful basket forms. He references objects like the traditional spruce root baskets from his Tlingit heritage in his glasswork as a way of rethinking and re-contextualizing the item. In doing so he imbues these pieces with the elegance and beauty that the traditional woven forms are so well known for. 

$11,000.00

Tlingit Basket, Light Green/Red
Preston Singletary (Tlingit)

Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Modernism. This new body of work i...

Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Modernism. This new body of work is reflective of his different styles, from representing traditional cultural objects or making contemporary abstractions inspired by Modernism. His work continues the narrative thread of Tlingit style while reflecting on new directions for an ancient culture.

$6,100.00

Tlingit Basket, Sky/Blue
Preston Singletary (Tlingit)

Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Modernism. This new body of work i...

Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Modernism. This new body of work is reflective of his different styles, from representing traditional cultural objects or making contemporary abstractions inspired by Modernism. His work continues the narrative thread of Tlingit style while reflecting on new directions for an ancient culture.

$4,000.00

Tlingit Basket, Smoke/Midnight
Preston Singletary (Tlingit)

Tlingit glass artist Preston Singletary is well known for these beautiful basket forms. He refere...

Tlingit glass artist Preston Singletary is well known for these beautiful basket forms. He references objects like the traditional spruce root baskets from his Tlingit heritage in his glasswork as a way of rethinking and re-contextualizing the item. In doing so he imbues these pieces with the elegance and beauty that the traditional woven forms are so well known for.

$4,400.00

Water Protector
Preston Singletary (Tlingit)

Collaboration with Joe David  Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Mode...

Collaboration with Joe David  Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Modernism. This new body of work is reflective of his different styles, from representing traditional cultural objects or making contemporary abstractions inspired by Modernism. His work continues the narrative thread of Tlingit style while reflecting on new directions for an ancient culture.

$38,000.00

Winged Ones Above
Preston Singletary (Tlingit)

Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Modernism. This new body of work i...

Featured work in Preston Singletary's solo exhibition, Tlingit Modernism. This new body of work is reflective of his different styles, from representing traditional cultural objects or making contemporary abstractions inspired by Modernism. His work continues the narrative thread of Tlingit style while reflecting on new directions for an ancient culture. Eagle is an especially prominent figure in artwork on the Northwest Coast. There is a large population of eagles along the coast of the Paci...

$33,000.00