Judit Varga -ceramics

Judit Varga

http://www.juditvarga.net

I love her connection with nature and organic shapes. Judit says that she isn't interesting in copying these forms but understanding the reasons and relations beneath the surface. Judit tries to find a balance between the fact that everything is always changing and of her just existing in passing.

Dale Chihuly - Glass

 Garden and Glass exhibit in Seattle (2012)

 Garden and Glass Exhibit in Seattle (2012)

 Garden and Glass Exhibit in Seattle (2012)

     Dale Chihuly originally studied interior design at the University of Washington before he enrolled in the first glass program in the country at the University of Wisconsin.  He went on to study at RISD as well as established the glass program and taught there.  While working in Venice at the Venini glass factory he learned about the team approach to blowing glass, which is mainly the way he works today.

Lynn Adams- Metals and Jewelry

http://www.lynnadams-metalsmith.com/gallery.html

Lynn Adams is both a jeweler and metalsmith, along with a designer and enamelist.  She enjoys forging and chasing rather than piercing or engraving, but lately she has been working with enamel and jewelry.  She enjoys using many layers, textures, colors and light in her work.  Also, her silversmith techniques help her ability in jewelry making.

-Natalie Bechtel

Margaux Lange- Jewelry/Metals

  http://www.margauxlange.com/profile-contact/profile/about/

Margaux Lange re-purposes Barbie doll parts turning them into provocative and wearable jewelry. Margaux sets out to expel an understanding of Barbie that we all hold within us. Part nostalgia, part obsession, Margauxs pieces become an eerie (and intriguing) representation of Barbie within our culture. I was really interested in the unconventional way in which Margaux creates her jewelry, people often think of jewelry as precious or pretty objects that adorn the body. Margauxs jewelry on the other hand is shocking at first, appendages being removed from a body, but then you begin to find the humor that is presented within the pieces.

-T.M.

Roland Flexner Untitled (2010)

Graham Caldwell Fixed Orbit (2008)

Alexander Calder Constellations (1943)

UM Project Craft Systems (On Going)

Paula Hayes GT02 (2008)

Maybe I'm too open to the idea of what craft is and can be. In the work above I see control, transformation, and manipulation of materials into objects that create and captivate visual intrigue. All seem to be vestiges of the decorative object. I would like any of these in my home. 

Oh and the Flexner is paper and liquid graphite, Craft Systems a many functions (most of them are lights), and GTO2 is a terrarium. I'm only a little sorry about the picture "dump".

Erica Rosenfeld

     Erica does a number of different artworks such as sculpture, performance, jewelry and some functional pieces. What I liked specifically about this artist is her tapestry artwork. In her concept statement she says, "I wanted to make glass into something that is soft and tactile." The artist "sews" glass together using beads, wire mesh, and fabric.

http://ericarosenfelddesigns.com/

Eliza Bennett

http://rbs.org.uk/artists/eliza-bennett

Bennett uses her own hands as an embroidery surface to demonstrate the absurd notion that women's work is "easy". I'm interested in her use of her body to get this point across, experiencing something so emotional and physical.