President Obama Commissions Glassworks from Frabel Studio to Present to World Leaders at G20 Summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Frabel Studio announced today that President Obama has commissioned thirty-four of the “Glass Tree” sculptures created by world renowned flamework glass artist Hans Godo Frabel. The exquisite glass sculptures will be presented to world leaders at the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 24-25 September 2009. Please find high resolution pictures of the Glass Tree below.
“I am honored that President Obama has selected my art for his gift presentation,” stated Frabel. He added, “The symbolism of ‘Glass Tree’ mirrors so well the overarching tone and objective of the G20 Summit.” In describing the art gift, Frabel commented that all of the Tree’s leaves point upward symbolizing success and cooperation; the Tree’s pinnacle shape symbolizes unity and movement towards a common goal; trees are a symbol of strength, wisdom and endurance; glass, a beautiful yet fragile material, symbolizes the fragility of freedom, liberty and our environment; and beneath the Tree’s black wooden base is a 1/2” stainless steel plate representing Pittsburgh’s former steel industry that is moving to new, environmentally-friendly products, such as heat blocking glass panes created by PPG, a $16 Billion company headquartered in Pittsburgh.
President Obama encountered Frabel’s glass sculptures at the Frabel Botanical Exhibition currently on display at the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh (www.phipps.conservatory.org). Frabel was invited as a special guest at the G20 Summit opening event on September 24th.