Howard Ben Tre
Working Artist
Pawtucket, RIOnce Howard Ben Tre got his bearings, graduate school propelled him on to mastery of his art. He's had a one-of-a-kind career making one-of-a-kind creations.
Briefly describe your undergraduate college career.
From Brooklyn Technical High School I entered Missouri Valley College on a football scholarship. I then transferred to Brooklyn College as a sophomore, where I stayed for a semester. I got involved in the civil rights and antiwar movements, where I met my future wife, and we both became activists and organizers. School was now secondary. By 1970 I was in Portland, Oregon doing construction work, attending Portland Community College at night. By 1978, after majoring in Biology, I graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Art.
How did college influence you?
My father had been an artist in his early life, and while at Portland State I became curious about art. So Portland State University introduced me to artmaking and did so in an interesting way. Among the school's offerings, glassblowing was one I was especially attracted to. In the PSU glass studio I realized you could pour and cast molten glass as well as blow it.
After all that college, what propelled you at age 28 to attend art school?
I attended a summer glassworking school in 1977 called Pilchuck near Seattle. There I met a number of talented young artists, many of whom had attended Rhode Island School of Design. Their enthusiasm and energy convinced me R.I.S.D. was a place I wanted to be. Dale Chihuly was the department head at the time, and he proved to be an inspiring mentor. I attended two years and graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in 1980, along with a wife, a child, and a one-person show at the Hadler Rodriguez Gallery in Manhattan.
What were your earnings during the first ten years after graduation from RISD?
Less than poverty for the first four years. Then began a steady increase from sales of my work. In 1990 I earned about $60,000.
How, when and in what medium did you achieve prosperity?
My initial prosperity came from cast glass sculptures. By 1995 my work was on exhibit in 95 museums and public collections. I was also beginning to receive commissions for urban design projects and public art spaces.
Was prosperity acccompanied by happiness?
Yes. I am doing the work of my choice. I have the opportunity to be creative. I enjoy international recognition. And I especially like to be able to eat well and pay the bills. Let me put success as a working artist in perspective for your audience. Even the most prosperous visual artist is probably not earning at Bruce Springsteen's level.
What did you create for the University of Michigan?
In 2009 the university's Ross School of Business opened with a 100' x 27' glass wall that appears to have paintings embedded within it. It's a process of my own invention. I hope to do more when the construction industry revives in America.
How well do you navigate the interface between business and art?
Artistically I've always preferred to negotiate, rather than compromise. And there is a sizeable amount of negotiation involved in the business side of my work. I do it all now, and I don't find the business activities unpleasant or burdensome. I have an attorney to review difficult contracts. I have a full-time personal assistant who handles details, and we run pretty smoothly.
Explain your 2002 project in Warrington, UK.
It was like being an artist during the Renaissance, and it's my crown jewel. The five-year project involved redesigning two 500-foot-long streets, the main access to the town center. It also involved the town center, Marketgate. The design included pedestrian-ization, 10,000 square meters of granite paving, twelve gardens, 22 sculptures, two fountains and numerous seating opportunities. As the Warrington project progressed I also started and completed commissions for Target's world headquarters, Bank of America's plaza in Charlotte, NC, Brown University's Faunce fountain, Seibel's courtyard in San Francisco and many more.
What has been the effect on Warrington subsequently?
It's very popular among the townspeople and has led to new housing and shopping in the town center. Warrington also won three European urban design/planning awards.
Differentiate 'artist' and 'craftsman.'
A craftsman's ideas work in the service of the material. For an artist, the material works in service to the idea.