Emerge/Evolve 2016: Rising Talents in Kiln-Glass is on view May 26 – October 8, 2017

 

Bellevue, WA— A selection of works from Emerge/Evolve 2016, Bullseye Project’s most recent international biennial of rising talent in kiln-glass (or kilnformed glass), will travel to Bellevue Arts Museum in May, 2017. Bullseye Projects started the Emerge competition fourteen years ago in order to support and promote the vision of artists working in kiln-glass. Emerge 2016 is the ninth in Bullseye's biennial series of exhibitions and is the second to be featured at Bellevue Arts Museum after Emerge/Evolve 2014. Selected from 370 entries, the 42 finalists—representing 16 countries—were evaluated on their creativity, craftsmanship, and design by a panel of three jurors. Emerge/Evolve 2016 at Bellevue Arts Museum will feature award winners and select finalists from the Emerge 2016 competition alongside new work from former Emerge finalists showcasing the evolution of their talent. BAM will host an enriched edition of the exhibition, including additional works from the thirteen selected artists.

 

The exhibition is accompanied by a full-color catalog featuring artist statements and biographies, interviews with the Emerge 2016 jurors, and an introduction by Executive Director of the Bullseye Projects Lani McGregor.

  

What is kiln-glass?

In glassblowing, the artist works quickly to inflate the glass by means of a blowpipe, shaping the glass by rotating the pipe, swinging it, and controlling the temperature of the piece while he or she blows. In contrast, the less performance driven kiln-forming uses a kiln to bind and shape layers or particles (frit) of glass. Kiln-forming methods include fusing, slumping, kiln-casting, and other kiln related techniques in which control over the glass medium and the conditions of its manipulation are equally tantamount. Pushing the limits of different kiln-forming techniques, the selected artists showcase their skill for creating a diversity of objects with unexpected textures and forms. Their work challenges the possibilities of the medium while encouraging further growth in the field.

  

Emerge/Evolve 2016 at BAM features:

 

EVOLVE ARTISTS

 

Rei Chikaoka (Emerge 2010 & 2014)

Matthew Day Perez (Emerge 2008 & 2010)

Carmen Vetter (Emerge 2006 & 2010)

 

 

EMERGE 2016 AWARD WINNERS

 

Gold Award Helen Lee	Silver Award Marzena Krzeminska-Baluch	Bronze Award Alison Lowry
	Crossover Award Ashraf Hanna
Gold Academic Kate Clements	Silver Academic Jeffrey Stenbom	Bronze Academic Nick Doran Adams

 

 

EMERGE 2016 FINALISTS

 

Honorable Mention Ligia Bouton

Honorable Mention Kim Brill

Honorable Mention Cheryl Wilson-Smith

 

 

Emerge/Evolve 2016: Rising Talents in Kiln-Glass is organized by Bullseye Glass Company in Portland, Oregon and juried by Stefano Catalani, Kim Harty, and Sue Taylor. The local presentation of this exhibition is curated by Michael Endo.

ABOUT BULLSEYE GLASS COMPANY

Bullseye Glass is a factory in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1974 by three recent art school graduates, the organization promotes glass art around the world through its initiatives, which include developing new methods of glass fabrication, hand-fabricating colored glass for artists and architects, facilitating research and education in the field, and hosting collaborative artist residencies. Bullseye Projects part of Bullseye Glass Company, supporting makers of all ages to expand their creativity through glass. bullseyeglass.com.

 

ABOUT BELLEVUE ARTS MUSEUM

Bellevue Arts Museum is a leading destination in the Pacific Northwest to experience art, craft, and design. BAM engages the community through exhibitions, programs, and publications, featuring regional, national, and international artists. bellevuearts.org.

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