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Norbert Sattler is a man with a mission. It began
in Germany, when as a young man he began an apprenticeship in
a stained glass studio - it was the beginning of his life long
love for the medium of glass. He went on to complete his formal
training and practicum working for several studio in Germany and
Switzerland. The last studio that he worked for was the world
renowned Meyers of Munich. There he started working with fine
artists and developed a passion for creating contemporary art
with them.
He went on to open and build his own studio with
the help of this wife and partner, Helga. It was not easy to compete
with well-established studios but he was successful.
Several important artists followed him and continued
to work with him creating art for churches, homes and public spaces.
Then in 1993, he and Helga decided to immigrate
to Canada and they started all over again. They have built their
business and studio space for the second time, with very hard
work and much determination. The result is a beautiful studio
on the LaHave River near Bridgewater.
Norbert's expertise has become known throughout
North America particularly since his studio successfully completed
the major restoration project at St. John's Anglican in Lunenburg.
This project took 2 ½ years to complete and the St. John's
Restoration Committee and all who have seen it, have sung the
praises of the studio. Restoration is technically demanding, but
all his years of formal training and experience means he can confidently
offer work second to none in this country.
The restoration work that they do, gives the
business stability, but Norbert's first love is fine art and it
is this part of the studio work that requires enormous effort.
He and Helga are constantly educating clients and artists - encouraging
them to look at the art work that they have created and to accept
and create art works in glass. To this end, they have an annual
exhibition which takes a great amount of work, time and expense,
but they are determined to show that glass can be a medium for
artists like any other.
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Often artists work alone and are unfamiliar with
the concept of working in another media with the technical assistance
that the Sattler's studio provides. Norbert's role is to facilitate
the art making process to help artists fulfill their vision and
intent. In their well-equipped studio, he puts his knowledge and
skills at the artist's disposal and will also improvise, to find
the easiest way for the artist to create - whether by creating
new tools for a specific effect or suggesting the use of various
techniques such as sandblasting, etching, screening, laminating,
etc. The respect and sensitivity afforded each artist's vision
is testament to the passion Norbert has for this kind of collaboration.
In this supportive and stimulating environment, artists have a
unique opportunity to express themselves in a new medium.
Besides a number of very fine well-known German
artists, in Canada they have worked with the most famous Canadian
Inuit artist, Kenojuak Ashevak and have interpreted in glass,
the work of other Inuit artists from Cape Dorset. As well, several
talented artists well known in Nova Scotia, such as painters,
Wayne Boucher, Don Pentz and Susan Findel have made work with
Norbert. He also has a close association with the artist and former
professor at NASCAD, Richard Mueller and Florida artist, Craig
Rubadoux who resides in Kingsburg.
It still remains an ongoing process to convince
people that art glass is more than a repetition of medieval iconography
and that it can be contemporary art. Unfortunately the level of
artistry in this medium is often substandard, which is another
reason why working with good artists is so important to the Sattlers.
Although there are examples of fine art made in this medium in
Europe since the early 1900's, not much has changed in its general
public perception; the last well known period was that of the
Arts and Crafts movement.
Despite its potential and perhaps because of its intrinsic beauty,
those old associations are difficult to change, but if anyone
can do it, it will be Norbert, with the dedicated help of Helga,
and now their son, Fabian.
Sue Obata
Toronto
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