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

Artist Statement
The body of work that I am currently exploring is inspired by the literal visual forms brought to mind by the idiomatic phrase “the birds and the bees.” Utilizing this reference to sexual reproduction, I expand its meaning and form to speak more of the entire life cycle: birth, life, and death. The large-scale sculptures/installations make reference to points within the life cycle, gender, human anatomy (both physical and psychological) as well as social institutions including religion and science. Furthermore, the work utilizes all of the viewers’ senses; beyond the visual encounter I want the audience to experience smell, sound, touch and taste as they maneuver through the fabricated environment. My aim is to create a physiological effect for the viewer where familiar forms such as a greenhouse, bee apiaries, or a group of birds on a wire take on new meaning and thereby create a new and unique encounter for the viewer.

The individual sculptures, which are made from a variety materials including glass, wood, plastic, dead bees, trees, wax and bird decoys, are arranged in the space to create a specific pathway through which the viewer travels. Although some of the symbolic references, which I make, may be cryptic, or historically obscure, the need for some sort of esoteric knowledge is not necessary to truly experience my work. My goal is to create metaphors from familiar forms that encourage the viewer to take a second look and consider the underlying meaning of abstract concepts. By deciphering my own internal symbolism I hope to present forms, which resonate within my shared cultural experience.


Biography
I began working in glass while attending Centre College from which I graduated in 2000. During and after my time there, I worked closely with Stephen Powell both as a student and assisting in the production of his personal work; I currently maintain employment with him and am responsible for the majority of his cold working. I completed my MFA at the University of Kentucky in 2008 with a focus in sculpture. During my studies I was able to introduce glass casting methods as well as some soft glass techniques to the program and diversified my technical approaches to making art. I am currently a working artist residing in Lexington, KY.


Resume
Education    
MFA, Studio Art with concentration in sculpture
Received May 2008, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY

BA, Studio Art with concentration in sculptural glass
Received May 2000, Centre College, Danville, KY

Professional Experience
5/2000-Present    Employee of Stephen Rolfe Powell, LLC, Assisting in various aspects of signature artwork production

8/2005-5/2007    University of Kentucky Teaching Assistant

1/2005    University of Miami, FL, Glassblowing Workshop, Teaching assistant to Stephen Powell

8/2003-12/2003    Visiting professor of ceramics, Centre College, Kentucky, Instructor of intro-level course for glassblowing

3/1998-5/2000    Work-study employee for Centre College, Danville, KY

6/2000    Demonstrated glassblowing techniques at the Glass Art Society conference’s student demos, Urban Glass, Brooklyn, NY

1/2000    Demonstrated glassblowing techniques at the Tokyo Glass Art Institute, Tokyo, Japan

6/1999-8/1999    Paid summer internship assisting Prof. Stephen Powell Centre College

9/1997-12/1997    Assisted in the construction of the Corning Phillips-Lighting Hot Glass Studio, Centre College, Danville, KY

Awards & Honors
2008    Excellence Award Mid-South Sculpture Alliance Symposium, Inside
2007    Dedalus Foundation Master of Fine Arts Sculpture Fellowship Nominee U.K.
2005    Harbor Steel Sculpture Design Competition 1st place
2004    2004    Millennium Fellowship, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
2000    The Mildred & David Wood Art Prize, Centre College, Danville, KY

Selected Exhibitions
2008    Mid-South Sculpture Alliance Symposium Inside, Lexington, KY
Folk Art Takes New Form, Lexarts, Lexington KY
Master Pieces, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
Inclosure, MFA Thesis Exhibition, Many Moons Gallery, Lexington KY
New Blue,1st Biennial Emerging Artist Show, KMAC, Louisville, KY

2007    Johnson, Smith, and Jones, Glass Exhibit Flamerun Galleries, Louisville KY
Under the Influence, Berea Center for Arts and Crafts, Berea, KY

2006    Carry Ellis Juried Exhibition, Barnhart Gallery, University of Kentucky, Lexington,KY

2000    The Red Clay Survey Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL

Senior Thesis Show: Constructed Works,  Aegon Gallery, Centre College Danville,KY

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