Kirby Louis Rivest

Fine Art Stained Glass

Artist's Statement

My philosophy with regards to stained glass, simply stated, is "make it beautiful, and make it last". I've taught myself how to work with foil construction to enhance, not only appearance, but through design and special construction techniques unique to my style, the structures integral strength and stability. There was a time when other stained glass artists thought that larger window construction could not and should not be made of foil construction, believing that lead construction was the only method to ensure structural stability. I have spent 18 years in the studio developing foil techniques that debunk this myth.

Flexibility in design is an important aspect of my development. Being able to recognize designs and motifs from different subjects not usually associated with stained glass, and being able to successfully translate these motifs to glass, broadens my field of expression in the medium. For example, deciding whether the interpretation of a theme is best portrayed in one or three dimensions would be a function of design flexibility.

Slumping glass is a relatively new aspect of recent works. This aspect of construction has added a new direction I mean to follow with great anticipation. I have, in the past, used slumped glass in two lamp constructions which enable me to design a less complicated pattern. I intend to incorporate this technique in my current three dimensional constructions.

The fields of colour should, in the end, be all there is to look at and admire. The lines holding everything in place should not be a factor. They should all but be invisible to the eye.

Summary of Exhibitions

1995 Flint Project by the Wandering Art Gallery, Victoria, B.C.

14 artisans offering their individual concepts of the same Native motif provided by local

First Nations artist Chris Johnson

1995 Stephen Lowe Art Gallery Ltd.

1994 Victoria Lapidary and Mineral Society, 30th Annual Victoria Hobby Show Invited as guest exhibitor to show incorporation of natural stone into three dimensional stained glass panoramas

1993 Rare Discovery Gallery, Victoria, B.C.

1993 Environmental Glass '93, Victoria, B.C. Juried Exhibition

1993 Rubaiyat Stained Glass Studio, Calgary, Alberta

1993 Langley Centennial Museum, Vancouver, B.C. Juried Exhibition

1992 Victoria Lapidary and Mineral Society, 29th Annual Victoria Hobby Show, Victoria, B.C.

1990 Celebrate The Arts, Victoria College of Art, Victoria, B.C. Juried Exhibition

1990 Canadian Impressions, Victoria, B.C.

1990 Images and Objects VIII, Victoria, B.C. Juried Exhibition

1990 International Stained Glass Lamp Competition, Tacoma, Washington. Juried Exhibition, Honourable Mention

1986-1988 Ronin Gallery, Victoria, B.C. Co-Owner and Resident Glass Artist

Commissions and Constructions

"From 1981 to present I have created commissions to recreate turn of the century Tiffany masterpieces and original works for private collectors around the world."

" I use only copper foil in my work because of its proven strength and durability. The interplay between glass, light and line has always fascinated me. I see the world in terms of line and colour and the challenge of interpreting it in glass."