Robert Wiley has, for the past 11 years, centered his art making, teaching, and investigation within the VICARTE Research Unit for Glass and Ceramics for the Arts at FCT NOVA. His current art practice and investigation find their inception not only in the technical challenges specific to his primary material source, glass, but equally by questions into the nature of value and ways in which the cultural heritage of tomorrow is being influenced by systemic conditions in the present. Beyond his academic experience, Robert brings prior professional experience in diverse areas of the private sector, from design, fabrication, and engineering to project management and design-build management of thematic environments. Working now at the intersection and Science and Art, Robert combines deep curiosity and extensive glass making experience to participate in projects and investigation from glass archaeometry and historical reproductions to practical applications for new materials developed within the research unit. This naturally leads to translating these developments into new ways to teach art making and creative problem solving to others. His major output is predominantly art works and exhibitions, Master’s thesis supervision, followed by contributions to the broader field of academic glass investigation.
Representative works:
I. Coutinho, T. Medici, R. Wiley, L.C. Alves, B. Gratuze, M. Vilarigues (2017). The gourd-shaped vessel: a Portuguese product? Journal of Glass Studies, 59, 215-234.
A.P. de Matos, A. Ruivo, R. Wiley (2017). Iridescence and Color in Glass Art Nouveau:the Chemistry and Technique, Proceedings Study Days on Ventetian Glass, ATTI Classe di Scienze Fisiche, Matematiche e Naturali, Vol 175, Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, Venice Italy, 2016-2017.
(2017). Cover Memories; Inside Out, Aura Festival Sintra, Collaborative Installation, Largo Afonso de Albuquerque, Vivenda Anna, Sintra Portugal.
(2015). Within Glass-Inside Light, Group Exhibition, Istituto Veneto di Scienze Lettere ed arti, Palazzo Loredan, Venice Italy.
(2014). Amice, M. Rogers, R. Meitner, and R. Wiley, Biblioteca FCT UNL, Almada, Portugal.
VICARTE 