The Arthur Roger Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of recent sculpture by internationally-known glass sculptor Gene Koss. The exhibition will be on view at Arthur Roger Gallery, located at 432 Julia Street, from January 9–April 10, 2021. The gallery will host an opening reception with the artist in attendance, Saturday, January 9 from 11 am–7 pm.

The exhibition features recent sculptures by renowned glass artist Gene Koss that embrace his hope and optimism of the day. The show features pieces ranging from the 21-foot-long showpiece in the main gallery called Toil to the contemplative glass and steel sculpture Furrow, to smaller steel and glass sculptures, and even a series of smaller abstract expressionist carved glass drawings.   

Toil, the 21-foot featured sculpture anchoring Koss’ eighteenth exhibition with the gallery offers the seems to balance and float in the middle of the gallery. The sculpture’s implied motion seems to pull the wall of aluminum and beautiful glass forward. The forward progress references our efforts to maintain hope for better times as we all pull through our challenges.  

Gene Koss’s agrarian roots are never far from a source of inspiration. With a strong steel base and glass teeth, Furrow alludes to a plow turning the soil inviting the viewer to imagine progress and rebirth. The light seems to pour out of the glass onto the floor further referencing the positivity that will sprout out of the ground.  

Gene Koss received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin at River Falls in 1974. He then earned a Master of Fine Arts from the Tyler School of Art, Temple University, in Philadelphia. In 1976, he moved to New Orleans to develop a new glass facility and program for Tulane University, and subsequently became head of the department. Since that time he has been greatly involved in the development of the city's glass artistry and is known for developing one of the most important programs in North America. He is the recipient of several awards including the National Endowment for the Arts, The New Orleans Community Arts Board and Pace-Willson Art Foundation grants. His work has been exhibited at the New Orleans Museum of Art; the Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans; the Masur Museum of Art in Monroe, Louisiana; the Sculpture Center in New York City; as well as the International Biennale for Contemporary Art in Florence, Italy. His work is in many prominent collections including the Pan American Life Collection in New Orleans and the Corning Museum of Glass in New York.

For more information please contact the Arthur Roger Gallery at 504.522.1999 or visit our website at arthurrogergallery.com.