Henry Aschner

I create intricately patterned sculptures using polymer clay. As a self-taught artist, I was first drawn to polymer clay after encountering bold sculptures in a Sedona gallery. Captivated by the vivid color and complex details, I began a journey of exploration with polymer clay that continues to this day. My work utilizes the millefiori technique, an ancient glasswork method. The term means “thousand flowers” and involves assembling colored rods into complex patterns, which are sliced to reveal repeating designs. Unlike painted sculptures, every pattern/detail are created from carefully constructed and layered polymer clay. The result is a richly patterned surface where color and detail emerge from the clay itself, not from paint or added texture. Each sculpture begins as a hand-sculpted base. After an initial curing, layers of millefiori canes are applied, followed by additional firings as needed. The final step is a painstaking finishing process: a 12-stage sanding/buffing sequence, entirely by hand, using abrasives up to 12,000 grit to achieve a glasslike finish. My style blends technical precision with organic inspiration. The sculptures are both a celebration of nature and testament to the complexity achievable with this versatile medium—each piece a vivid fusion of form, color, and craft.