Oliver Doriss

I love Pagans!

December 22, 2020 No Comments

Of all the religious belief structures it turns out I have a soft spot for pagans. Is it their sense of style? Is their inclusiveness, lack of judging others? Nope! It’s their light hearted sense of humor!

This photo was sent to me by A regular collector of Fulcrum Gallery who purchased this and another of the pieces from my Trophy Series. Personally I loved making this series, the creativity, and the technical challenge of producing these small works. Read more about this body of work here and the available pieces in this collection. -Oliver Doriss

Posts, Sculpture

Kelsey

September 5, 2019 1 Comment

The Trophy series is my most recent artistic endeavor. It all started when my friend Patrick Calhill and I were creating some glass pieces at his studio Area 253 Glassblowing in Tacoma. At the request of a patron we created a rudimentary deer skull. It came out so cool and interesting that I went into the studio myself to explore this concept. My goal was to create a variety of deer, elk & steer skulls in exceptionally blingy colors and decorations then re-imagine them as a Mod Pop hunting trophy.

Kelsey is a lovely marriage of aesthetics. The Heavy Metal look of this particular skull paired with a smashed audio receiving board became the perfect “Rock n’ Roll” statement. The decision to showcase the warped lines of the destroyed plate gives a humble nod to the varied history these items have had. Kelsey measures 8 x 11 x 6 inches and is currently available for purchase.

Art, Posts, Shows & Events

Trophies at MINKA

April 29, 2019 1 Comment

I am proud to present a display of my new work, titled Trophies at MINKA in downtown Tacoma. Please join us for the opening of “Trophies” on Saturday, May 4th from 5-7pm. Show runs through June 30. -Oliver

In “Trophies”, Doriss renders precious deer skulls in jewel-like glass, creating sculptures that are at once modern and as darkly beautiful as memento mori. These works mine subliminal territory where the artificial construct of human culture butts against the “raw unstoppable forces of nature… I feel as though there are glimpses of reality when the cracks form in my societal conditioning,” Doriss said.

The works in “Trophies” combine a fragile temporality with an almost papal sense of luxury that is wickedly attractive. Turn a skull over in your hand, and you can run your finger across the rows of tiny deer teeth Doriss has carved in glass. “I seek to make connections with both my aesthetic choices and subject matter, often towing the line of the dark and humorous,” he said. Doriss is himself a 12-point buck in every sense of the word. He opened the seminal gallery, Fulcrum, on Tacoma’s Hilltop in 2007, and has presented some of the city’s most robust and provocative shows ever since. When he’s not running his gallery, he teaches Venetian glassblowing locally and in Murano, Italy (no wonder he always has such great shoes).

Please join MINKA in welcoming Oliver Doriss on May 4, 5-7pm (and beyond). Also opening May 4 is “Six Paintings”, abstract works by noted Tacoma artist and designer, John Vlahovich. Upstairs at Art Above Gallery, is an ongoing exhibit of paintings curated by Brian Ebersole. The show includes works new and old; some collected in the former mayor’s travels, some brushed by himself. MINKA is located at 821 Pacific Ave. Regular hours are Thursday through Sunday, 12-5, and by appointment.

For more information, please contact verticalshout@gmail.com.(Featured: Ruby Deer Skull. Doriss describes this sculpture as, “Transparent ruby sheathed in silver leaf, a classic and especially blingy look. Inspired by Venetian sculptural sensibilities exploiting a similar use of precious metals and striking colors.” Approx. 8 in. wide.)