Nikki O’Neill, “Synthesis 11″, 11″x 15″ x 2”, glass
Nikki O’Neill has been working with glass for more than 25 years, and currently uses kiln-forming techniques to create sculpture and vessels from recycled glass. Nikki has a great show at Waverly Street Gallery open thru August 1st.
BENTHOS
DISCOVERIES AND MARINE HABITATS IN GLASS
by Nikki O’Neill
JULY 7 – AUGUST 1, 2015
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 12-6 P.M.
Two exciting evolutionary themes inspire Nikki O’Neill’s visual diaries in kiln formed glass: the watery, primordial origins of life, and the delightfully intricate and richly colored primitive creatures that live there. Glass is the perfect medium to explore these mysteries, often revealing exciting visual discoveries as she manipulates heat, gravity, gasses, and time to melt and combines glass with natural raw mineral compounds, metals, salts, and oxides. These basic elements are also those of life’s origins, and perhaps provide a glimpse into our own organic beginnings.
After initial ideas are developed, glass is cut, heated, shaped, and cold-worked. She is often delighted to discover visages of primordial beginnings and early life emerging from the bubbling cauldrons of inhospitable environments. It is art and science; exploration and discovery; glass and nature that fuels her heart and imagination each day.
Along with formal studies in the studio arts, Nikki O’Neill earned a PhD degree and worked as a research scientist and educator in the biological sciences for 30 years. She has exhibited her art extensively in the Mid-Atlantic region in juried shows, receiving honors including “Best in Show” by the Creative Crafts Council in 2013. She regularly teaches workshops in kiln formed glass.
For more information about the artist please visit www.nikkioneillglass.com
For more information about the show, contact curator Elizabeth Wolf at liz.wolf@verizon.net or 301-263-0381
Waverly Street Gallery
4600 East West HWY
Bethesda, Maryland 20814