Glass art – Ella Varvio

Colour frenzy

Glowing hot neodymium purple glass in Nuutajärvi

This summer our PhotonArt project proceeded to the actual melting and blowing of coloured glasses. For this I had rented the Lasikomppania glass studio in Nuutajärvi and I was full of nervous excitement. Making glass is expensive and you’re never fully certain of the outcomes… Luckily all went very well!

Samples of PhotonArt -project’s coloured glasses for glassblowing

The colour recipes were designed by Tampere University Photonics Laboratory as part of PhotonArt -project that combines art and science. Our project leader Dr. Laeticia Petit is the professor of photonic glasses at Tampere University and her team researches glass as a tool to transport light. Photonic glasses have applications in optical fibers, lasers, optical amplifiers, multicolor displayers, just to cite a few.

In the PhotonArt project we have investigated colours of glass and glazes both from artists and scientists point of view. The project is supported by Finnish Cultural Trust Pirkanmaa Regional Funds.

Hectic work in Lasikomppania studio, glassblowers Samuli Parkkinen and Jenni Sorsa in action

All the colours turned out super nice and were suitable for glassblowing. The days at the studio were hectic and hard work as we produced new artworks. Many thanks to my gaffers and studio staff : Jenni Sorsa, Samuli Parkkinen and Alge Julija.

Some of the shapes are inspired by ancient Chinese vessels and vases. These new artworks are not yet ready as they need coldworking and engraving. I’m however, already very pleased with how they turned out.

The final results can be seen in Tampere at the end of this year. Stay tuned, still some months to go but lots to do!

Galleria Himmelblau, Tampere, Finland 9.12.2023-7.1.2024

Engraved glass art at Glass Museum Gernheim 19.03. – 09.09.2023

Glass Museum Gernheim in Germany is hosting an exhibition of contemporary glass engraving art from allover Europe. The show wants to highlight how old craft skills can turn into contemporary art. Exhibition is called Gravur on Tour and it’s curated by the museum and a network of European glass engravers. I am proud to be part of the exhibition with three artworks. Exhibition opens 19th of March and continues until 9th of September 2023.

*Horses I will ride in the afterlife*, 2022 – artworks that I have send to Gernheim, Germany

Gravur on Tour: Glashütte Gernheim 2023
19.03. – 09.09.2023
LWL-Museum Gernheim Glassworks
Gernheim 12, Petershagen, Germany
Museum open from Tuesday to Sunday 10-18

https://glashuette-gernheim.lwl.org/en/

Winter Art Market

During the turn of the year I have few of my artworks at Winter Art Market at Gumbostrand Konst & Form, a lovely gallery near the sea, in Sipoo not far from Helsinki. For example Okapi is there looking for a new home :

*Okapi* 2022, inspired by a visit to Bronx zoo

In 2023 I will continue with the super interesting PhotonArt project which I explained a bit in my previous post. I will be the artist in the team that explores colourants for glass.

Exhibition wise next year will bring up a group exhibition in Germany and a solo exhibition in my hometown Tampere, Finland. The latter presents the art that I am making as part of PhotonArt project. Galleria Himmelblau in old industrial buildings of Finlayson factory will host my exhibition at the end of 2023.

In Germany, Glass Museum Gernheim will present an extensive exhibition of contemporary engraved glass, proud to be part of that! The engraving exhibition will be there 19.3.-9.9.2022.

PhotonArt vol.1

How about combining glass art, archeology and photonics in one project? I have been starting on a multidisciplinary PhotonArt project that does exactly that!

The unique glass colour samples, made for my artistic work by Tampere University Photonics laboratory. Some of these are inspired by ancient Chinese glazes.

In this project glazes from ancient Chinese ceramics are being analyzed to both understand their composition and to design new glass materials and colours. Tampere University has received ceramic shards dating from Song Dynasty (960-1279AD) from the collections of ASET Stiftung. Song Dynasty ceramics are known for their elegant design and variety of different glazes. Glazing means a thin layer of glass both decorating and protecting the surface of the pottery.

Raw early stage sketches showing variety of shapes seen in Song Dynasty ceramics.

Specific glazes were chosen for this project based on their color and texture which are due to the presence of crystals and metallic particles. In the first phase of the research the composition of glazes was analyzed using different scanning methods such as electron microscope and X-ray fluorescence.

The ancient Chinese glazes serve as an inspiration for development of new glass materials for both art and science. The aim is to create similar colours and metallic crystals in different glass compositions. The focus for photonics is in optical glass and enhancing and altering its properties, whereas glass artist is more interested in colour hues and artistic expression.

Example of the glazed ceramics analyzed in this project. Photo : ASET Stiftung

I consider it a great priviledge to be the artist in this project and get tailored colours to work with. Melting the glasses, blowing and sculpting them, grinding and engraving will reveal how the colours suit for small studio use.

Furthermore I will look for inspiration from the past, especially Song Dynasty ceramics – whether it be classical shapes, certain colours or motifs from tomb statues. At the end of next year I will be having an exhibition at Galleria Himmelblau, Tampere – there I will show the outcomes of this project!

More early stage sketches : inspiration from the ancient Chinese ceramic horse sculptures found in tombs. They were supposed to be your ride in the afterlife…

The project is supported by Finnish Cultural Trust’s Pirkanmaa Regional Funds. Earlier this year they released an article on PhotonArt, you can check it on the link below :

https://skr.fi/en/whats-new/when-archaeology-meets-contemporary-glass-art-and-advanced-photonics

Welcome to the new age of glass – exhibition and talk at Institut français de Finlande

I am having a mini-exhibition of my glass artworks and samples from PhotonArt project at the French Institute in Helsinki 1-17.6.2022. Moreover the institute is organizing a Café scientifique talk around the new era of glass. Talk is held on 16th of June, glass scientists Laeticia Petit and Jonathan Massera – and glass artist yours truly – are talking about past, presence and future of glass!

More info and registration to the event :

Welcome to the new age of glass

My glass artworks, Summer Night and Trot, by the window at the French Institute’s library, on Yrjönkatu central Helsinki

Working in Nuutajärvi Village

Here are some pics from this summer. I have been working on some new artworks after the spring’s lockdown. As you all I am still a bit worried how the fall will be like- but at the moment I am just so happy to be at work.

Also worth mentioning, many thanks for Arts Promotion Center Finland for supporting artists through the tough times. I lately received their grant for artistic work, meant for designers and artists whose work and income had been effected by the lockdown.

Exhibition of engraved glass in Germany 8.5.-8.11.2020

The artist herself and “Snake Orgy”, unique Graal glass piece with engraving. Photo : Otto Ojala

Gravur – Back on tour – presents new European glass engraving art. I am proud to be part of the show with two of my art pieces. The exhibition is held at European Museum of Modern Glass, Rödental, Germany.

Here’s a very nice video from the exhibition (in German, but you can enjoy the visuals anyway) :

Virtual Conference

I have submitted a lecture on Finnish glassmaking to Glass Art Society’s virtual conference happening May 21-23. Originally the conference would have been held in Southern Sweden – however due to the unexpected situation, the conference was cancelled.

As an consolation GAS is organizing Virtual Conference that can be seen at glassart.org website starting from May 21st. There’s quite an interesting list of presentations : lectures, demos, etc.

Happenings ahead

As you well know, due to the changing situation across the globe – the dates of my exhibitions may change. Here’s though a list of what’s ahead if all goes well.

– Finnish Glass Lives 8, The Finnish Glass Museum, 14.2.-19.4.2020 CLOSED FOR NOW

– Art Breda, Art Gallery Rozendaal’s stand, Breda, Netherlands 5-13.9.2020

– Back on Tour -Modern European Glass Engraving, Coburg, Germany 8.5.-8.11.2020

– Gumbostrand Konst & Form, glass art exhibition, Sipoo, Finland 13.11.2020-17.1.2021

Forest Meadow – unique art pieces made in Nuutajärvi, Finland 2019. Photo : Otto Ojala

Exhibition open at Art Gallery Rozendaal

Exhibition of new Finnish glass is now open in Netherlends! Me and my colleague Elina Salonen traveled to Low countries a week back, to set up the exhibition and attend in the opening at beautiful Art Gallery Rozendaal. The gallery is located in Montfort, Limburg, in southern corner of Netherlands, near both Belgian and German border. I was very impressed of the modern gallery building with views to the surrounding woods – our glass art fits here perfectly!

Festive Month Exhibition :
Finnish Glass Art & Humoristic Hyperrealism

Art Gallery Rozendaal
Rozendaal 10
6065 NE Montfort

Open Saturdays and Sundays 11:00-17:00 and via appointment with the gallery