Howard Ben Tré (American, 1949-2020), Wrapped Form #2

1993, large cast glass, one part form, with upper section having incised and dark iron powder finish, raised waist band with repeating dark finish, circular base, appears unmarked.

56 x 24.5 in. diameter

The Contemporary Art Collection of Francine & Benson Pilloff, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Accompanied by a typed and signed letter on Howard Ben Tré letterhead reading: "September 1, 1993 / Dear Francine and Benson, I'm really glad that we were able to speak today and work out an arrangement about which we both feel good. Thank you very much for your support. I hope you'll be able to see the show in Palm Beach but in the meantime, Gay and I look forward to seeing you in Toledo. Best regards, Howard." and with a New York exhibition booklet showcasing this work and inscribed to Francine & Benson; a cut-out image of this work for the NCMA exhibit as well as a fact sheet for the exhibit.

Also with a cut-out image of the work for the NCMA exhibit, along with an exhibition fact sheet; and a photo copy of the artist beside this sculpture en situ at the Pilloff's residence; also with a newspaper article with image of Francine beside this work; along with information regarding the GLASS TODAY exhibit and the Pilloff's role.

Exhibited:
GLASS TODAY, Cleveland Museum of Art, p. 80
Fusion: Contemporary Art Glass from North Carolina Collections, North Carolina Museum of Art, 2005 (accompanied with a photo copy from the exhibition)

Illustrated:
Howard Ben Tré: New York, Brown University, 1993, p. 10

The Christian Science Monitor described Ben Tré's poured glass works as timeless, monumental and "hulking, architectural forms he creates...existed before the dawn of recorded history." His distinctive glass sculptures were pivotal in breaking the barrier of glass from craft to fine art.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Howard Ben Tré received his undergraduate degree from Portland State University, Oregon, and earned an MFA at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1980. Since the late 1970s, when he first became interested in making cast-glass sculptures, Ben Tré won international recognition for his work.

Early in his career Ben Tré made objects that resembled turbine engines, radiators, and other items that alluded to the world of industry. His later work took on a columnar format and became larger in scale. An industrial ethos still clings to the work, but it frequently also refers to art of the past, including architectural elements borrowed from ancient temples or ziggurats. Almost from the beginning, Ben Tré rejected hand-blown glass, preferring to cast molten glass, using methods he learned in a metal-foundry class at Brooklyn Technical High School.

Natural occurring hairline fractures (according to the artist these occur over time).
Note this lot is of substantial size and weight and will require professional assistance upon pick-up. LLA will not be able to provide assistance with handling of the object.