It’s not hard to find great art at downtown Phoenix’s First Fridays.

Ducking in and out of galleries, checking out work from local artists, is what makes the monthly art walk more than just a massive social event.

And for those who appreciate the variety of art stacked on Roosevelt Row and beyond, there’s always one exhibition that stands out from the rest. This First Friday, that exhibit was a collection of expertly crafted glasswork at the Daughters of the Frozen North Studio & Gallery.

Troy Moody’s “Found” merges glass art and found objects, which creates an aesthetic blend that, upon first glance, seems effortless.

Glass plates of deep colors are weaved together by forged iron to create absorbing, incandescent images. The smooth transitions and movements within the pieces make it almost hard to believe someone had to put a single work together, that the piece wasn’t somehow mechanically engineered in one fell swoop rather than meticulously compiled by human hands.

And then you take a closer look. The intricacy of the pieces becomes evident with each division of glass. Only human hands could have brought together that glass — hand-stained, kiln-manipulated and blown — with found objects ranging from photographs and fabrics to tiles and hardware.

The found objects, from which the exhibition took its name, contribute to the art’s sense of familiarity and history.

Warm color themes help accentuate that notion of antiquity, while the content lends itself to “older days” through pieces that illustrate a rustic American flag, a baby’s portrait and even a Willie Nelson poster.
For viewers, curiosity builds as to where these objects came from, what the artist’s connection is to them and what the pieces collectively say about the nature of antiquity.

The found objects are also often hidden within the pieces, embedded into the colors and etchings. Weaving the objects into the glass assemblage adds to the theme of the collection — the merging of history and self — but also creates a feeling of discovery. For viewers, distinguishing the found objects within the pieces feels like stumbling upon a family’s forgotten keepsakes and heirlooms.

Each piece is framed, adding to the personal, historical feel of the art. Enclosing the larger pieces, many of the frames are worn, chipped and seem decades old. Some even look like the artist found them washed up on a shore. Moody pairs these seemingly ocean-torn frames with his bluer pieces, encouraging viewers to further imagine the frame itself as a found object.

For any of the First Friday artists, striking a balance between showing in a miniscule gallery and including a comprehensive collection of work can’t be easy. But through presenting both small and large pieces ranging in color and shape, intricately and expertly framed, “Found” succeeds in fueling imaginations and creating a deeper connection between artist and viewer.

Reach the reporter at jessica.testa@asu.edu