DANIEL MOE - Glass Artist
Daniel Moe is considered to be one of the most gifted and innovative glass artists in Hawaii today.
"I fell in love with glass as a medium to express my devotion and connection to nature. When I approach glass in it's fluid state, I feel as if this connection is enhanced. Glass is not only a material, it is matter, living its own life, a powerful medium of communication.
It is both beautiful and treacherous. It lends itself to metaphor because it can imitate Water, Magma, Stone and suggests other things like Air and Light. It is Poetry.
The ephemeral changing colors and movement of magma and moving water are properties of the glass itself. It can be liquid, viscous, transparent, opaque, shiny, solid, adaptable, flowing and versatile. This makes it the perfect material to express the dynamic raw and liberating energy revealed in the Aina (land) of Hawaii"
Daniel Moe was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1967. He received his Fine Arts degree in Hot Glass from The University of Wisconsin in 1991. Being Drawn by a powerful calling from the Big Island of Hawaii in 1999 was a key factor to further expand his connection to Mother Earth and his creative glass work. He currently lives and works in Puna where he gets his inspiration from living with the Volcano Kilauea just a few miles away from his home/studio. Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world yet its activity is uniquely non-violent which makes it an invaluable resource for up-close study and modes of inspiration.
The Puna region is also known for its dramatic ocean waters. Waves eternally and passionately crash on the breathtaking lava cliffs moving Daniel to give birth to his ocean wave series. It's been said that people living on the east side of the big island experience endless creativity due to the intense nature of the land.
Daniel has found tremendous support in integrating the creative energy through the daily practice of Kundalini Yoga, which he claims keeps him disciplined, young, and excited about life.
He gives thanks for the positive impact of his brothers from the Mankind project, the extraordinary support and love from his wife, and the driving force of his two daughters, All of these being pivotal to the ongoing transformation and maturity of his glass work.