Picasso once said, “art is the lie that tells the truth,” and John Moran has taken this to an entirely new level. Through his unique art form, he combines hot glass sculpting and his philosophy to create pieces that speak volumes. Moran is an American-born glass sculptor, entrepreneur, and artist working in Belgium and taking the world of glassblowing by storm.
New Times Roman. Photo: Alex Hogan
Bright Eyes. Photo: Evert Van Laere
OUR Lady. Photo: Evert Van Laere
Moran is more than an artist; he is a storyteller who aims to spark imagination and inspire people with his artwork. Every piece of his art begins with a story or event that caused media attention and then spirals into a morally nebulous ideological debate. His narratives often evoke a sense of humanity in a satirical way and are centered around messages that touch on social issues, the environment, religion, politics, and more.
Check out some of the most iconic pieces by Moran and the narrative behind them.
1. New Times Roman
This free-hand sculpted art piece is a sculptural representation of the phrase “The New Normal.” The sculpture mimics Michelangelo’s Pieta, showing a figure that is a cross between the Madonna and the Mcdonalds’ mascot holding an overweight,, dead boy in his arms. New Times Roman compares multinational companies profiting from their clienteleby instilling unhealthy habits and using marketing strategies to brainwash them to historical canon and imagery. This satirical piece has been shown internationally and is one of Moran’s most iconic works, triggering emotional reactions from viewers worldwide.
2. Bright Eyes
Bright eyes is a touching, melancholic work of art inspired by the story of a 12-year-old Yemeni boy, Mohammad Saleh Qayed Taeiman, who was killed in a U.S. drone attack in 2015. The piece depicts a boy standing in a wasteland with his arms stretched out as if asking for help. The little boy’s expression of shock, disbelief, and acceptance of his imminent death is heartbreaking. The idea behind this artistic piece of art was to convey the pain and persecution of those who were murdered under an oppressive belief structure and left nothing but mythical stories behind them.
3. Our Lady:
Our Lady is a mixed-media sculpture that has captured the eye of many art enthusiasts. The piece portrays a woman kneeling, covering her face and body with a translucent white veil. The idea behind this artwork is to portray the helplessness, vulnerability, and misery of a woman living in a culture bound by various taboos and social stereotypes. It is meant to show the attributes of a natural woman, yet she is ashamed and fearful of the judgment she will face.
Moran’s work has ushered in a new era of glass sculpture, and he intends to keep pushing the boundaries. His work speaks loud and clear, making it an absolute must-see for art lovers.
Follow John Moran on Instagram or visit his website, Backdoorart.
