Artists selected for the 2009 BIGG: Breakthrough Ideas in Global Glass are:

Artist Statement
My current artwork is influenced by the design principles of the Victorian era, and takes inspiration from patterns of fabric and wallpaper designs of that time. My work is based on forgotten fashion from a time where extravagant patterns and visual richness were the design standards. The objects I design deal with memory and perpetuation. They are created to give a feeling of somewhere far, of a different lifetime. In my latest body of work I attempt to create my own interpretation for a line of Jewelry that will decorate a space rather then a body. This line consists of super sized Jewelry and personal objects (such as lockets, pocket watches, brooches etc) that were created combining mixed media with glass. During implementation of this concept, I consider the surrounding space as part of my creation; I create pieces that are supposed to interact with other objects and people in their environment. In my work I aim not only to create a stand-alone object but a whole scene, in which it will take part. I use various techniques to craft my pieces, and believe in blending styles, schools, designs and colors to realize my vision. My designs are crafted meticulously by hand and are made out of fine materials. Although glass is currently my main medium and focus, I am always interested in researching new skills with new media, and combining them with glass. My current Objects combine blown glass and fabric structures that are held together by brass or bronze frames. The surface is treated using sandblasting technique carving through layers of colors, and screen print enamels fired on to it. I research and experiment in a range of materials and forms that pay homage to bygone traditions, but are produced with an eye to the future. By combining design principles from the past with contemporary ones, I aim to revive the beauty of the past and develop it in current-day context.


Biography
Einav Mekori is currently at her third year as a resident artist at the glass studio at Harbourfront centre. A native to Israel, she initially studied sculpture at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem. Having moved to Canada in 2004, she subsequently graduated from the Sheridan College Craft and Design program. Among her years as a professional glass artist, her works have been featured in several exhibitions around the world. Her current work is influenced by the rich visualization of Victorian styles, and takes inspiration from jewelry and wallpaper designs

Resume
Education
2004-2006    Glass Major - Craft & Design Program, Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Oakville, Ontario, Canada                                                                                                       
2000-2003         Majored in Glass and Sculpture - Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem, Israel

Professional Experience
2008    Teaching a Craft Education Workshop for high school students at the Harbourfront Centre Lecturing about the development and ideas of my work as part of “Viva Voce” (Voices from the Craft Studio event at Harbourfront Centre).

2006-Present    Teaching glass blowing courses at the Glass Studio at Harbourfront Centre.

2005-2006         Student Assistant to Established Glass Artists and teacher, Brad Sherwood.

Specialized Training
2008    “The Glass Sandwich” - Master Class with Brent Sommerhauser, Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, WA, U.S.A, Intro to Screen Printing (Intensive) with Hilary Dennis, Contemporary Textile Studio Co – op, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2007    Introduction to Jewellery - Metal Studio at Harbourfront Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
     “A line, a thread, a wire” -Master Class with Lily Yung, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.                    
2006    Glass sand casting with Koen Vanderstukken, Sheridan College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
2005    Glass blowing with Fritz Dresbuch, The Glass Furnace, Istanbul, Turkey.

Exhibitions
2009        Come Up To My Room, collaborative work by Erin Mccutcheon, Andrée Wejsmann, Annie Tung and Einav Mekori, Gladstone hotel, Toronto, Ontario Beautifying the Hunt, collaborative work by Einav Mekori and Annie Tung, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Ontario

2008    Beautifully Crafted, National Glass Centre (NGC) Sunderland, England
    International Art Fair, SOFA Chicago 2008, Represented by Lafreniere & Pai Gallery, Chicago, USA
    OCC Awards Winners 2008, Ontario Crafts Council, Toronto, Ontario
    Lindsay Craig and Einav Mekori Exhibition, Lafreniere & Pai Gallery, Ottawa
    update – Harbourfront Artist- in- Residence Exhibition Biennial York Quay Gallery, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Ontario

2007        IIDEX Convention 2007, MOB (Modern Object of Beauty) Booth, Direct Energy Center, Toronto, Ontario
    Varied Approaches *new* Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Harbourfront Centre Glass Studio Exhibition.             
    Cross Canada 2006 Graduate Show, Galerie Elena Lee,Montreal, Quebec

2006    Graduate Student Exhibition, Material Matters, Toronto, Ontario.
    Twelve Hundred Degrees, Sandra Ainsley Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Graduate Students Exhibition.
    All Glass Show Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Oakville, Ontario, Student Exhibition.
    The Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft Exhibition, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United State.

Awards and Honours
2008    Ontario Craft Council Award, Glass Supply Grant, sponsored by The Pottery Supply House
    Bronfman Award, Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, WA, U.S.A                                   
    Ontario Art Council Craft project: Individual grant (Professional Development grant)
    Ontario Art Council exhibition assistance grant

2006-Present        Full time artist-in-residence - Glass studio at Harbourfront Centre

2006    Finalist for the 2006 Student NICHE Awards Competition, Philadelphia, PA U.S.A.

Return to BIGG main page