This month, the Leaf wanted to share some stunning artwork from the Great White North made by Ethan Verkhovsky, better known as Eka Glass. He hails from the mighty land of Canada and now resides in Montreal.
But this story starts with his parents, who moved to Calgary, Alberta, from Russia to seek a new life many years ago. Brought up in a multilingual household, Eka Glass is fluent in English, Russian and French.
Life has no set boundaries, and Eka Glass’ dedication to finding his path led him to many job roles, from a professional poker player to a medical hypnotherapist, along his journey. He had just started his doctorate in osteopathy when art entered his periphery.
His introduction to glassblowing happened back in 2016 at a studio called Island City Glass in Montreal. It was here that he made lifelong friends and found his passion for borosilicate artwork.
He considers himself a traveling artist. Collaborating with artists far and near, he’s been able to develop a uniquely deep archive of work and a wide array of technical skills.
When the Leaf asked him about his inspirations, Eka Glass said, “Some of the first artists I saw are still, to this day, my largest inspirations, and I’m blessed and fortunate enough to call some of them teachers and even friends.”
In the constant pursuit of knowledge and experiences, Eka Glass has participated in many glassblowing intensives. This is when a legendary artist, or artists, hosts a small group of other artists for usually three to five days. They work closely with the students to develop their skills in specific aesthetic and functional techniques.
At the time of this interview, Eka Glass was attending a two-week class at the Corning Museum of Glass hosted by Daniel Coyle, aka Coyle, and Adam Whobrey, aka Hoobs.
Coming from a self-confessed nonartist background, he said, “I try to create pieces that make you feel something. Might be uncomfortable, might be desirable.”
The Leaf team finds his work very desirable, both visually and functionally.
Always on the move, his next home port will be the beautiful seaside city of Kingston, Ontario, where his journey with this craft will continue to grow. On top of functional art, Eka Glass also focuses his efforts on stunning home decor. You can find his contemporary work exclusively on Instagram or on display in your local glass gallery.
@ekaglass (functionals) | @ekglassart (home decor)
