Born in Austin, MN, in 1978, Phil Gleason now resides and works in Tallahassee, FL. Phil has a versatile background in studio management, design fabrication, art direction, 3D modeling, teaching, fine art handling, and public art. He has managed large-scale architectural and glass projects, private and public commissions, and has worked as an effects coordinator for theaters and haunted houses, utilizing props, lighting, and other theatrical techniques. Phil is currently the Production Supervisor at the FSU Master Craftsman Studio, where he oversees various projects and operations. In addition to his full-time role, he passionately pursues his career as a professional artist. Phil's work has been represented by galleries and featured in exhibitions across the United States. Phil holds an MFA in Sculpture from FSU (2008) and a BFA from the University of Minnesota (2003).

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Meet Phil

Phil's sculptures are perception-based illusions, each designed to captivate from an optimal viewing angle or specific timeframe.

By employing forced perspective, he creates seemingly endless, skewed, floating, or flattened 3D objects that challenge the viewer's sense of reality. Using mixed media, Gleason masterfully suspends belief through visual tricks involving magnets, light, mirrors, and other hidden optical deceptions. His lifelong fascination with magic tricks, science, and puzzles fuels his playful, awe-inspiring, and meditative works of art.
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Phil explains the process of creating and