William Morris, Stone Vessel, 1984 Blown Glass 15" x 14" x 3"

William Morris' work explores the relationship between human beings and nature through the lens of death and memory: death as a return to nature and memory as the resilience of and communion with nature. His works honor the memory of ancient civilizations and remind us that we are part of a long continuum of making our mark on the earth.
In his youth, Morris would encounter (yet not disturb) traces of past human and animal existence while hiking, camping, or
climbing near the rugged central California coast-arrowheads, pottery shards, bones, and tusks. The impact of coming upon burial sites and archeological remains, especially when he was alone, was profound. These moments ignited a reverence for past human life-an awe and respect for those deeply connected to their land. This awe was rooted not in morbidity, but rather wonderment at the miracle of life and the mystery of death.
Morris' work in studio glassblowing dates back to the late 1970s when he arrived at the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, WA to work initially as a driver and eventually as the chief gaffer for Dale Chihuly. He remained with the Pilchuck studio for approximately 10 years and then traveled to Venice to learn additional techniques from the Venetian Glass Masters of Murano, Italy. Morris also traveled to see monolithic and megalithic structures erected by ancient cultures, which would inspire his stone vessels and standing stone sculptures.