Mel Munsen: New Works
Portfolio Gallery,
Vancouver
Sept 6, 2001 - Oct 3,
2001
 fused and slumped glass bowls (2001), glass bowls |
Mel Munsen, a self-taught glass
artist, creates brilliantly-coloured, memorable pieces with
lively shapes and rich designs. He has been exhibiting in
Canadian craft shows and glass exhibits since he emigrated
from the United States in 1970. In 1994 he began
experimenting with fusing and casting glass into bowl-like
shapes.
Munsen forges delicate stripes, gridlines and textures by
layering a Jacob's coat of different colours in a style
known as murrini. He is considered to be virtually without
peer in his technical perfection of this method that
originated in the 1930s.
After releasing the pieces from their molds, Munsen buffs
them until they are notably thin. Each delicate object emits
a translucent kind of light that has become a trademark of
Munsen's style. Viewed singularly or in groups, the bowls
make an impressive display.
© Mia Johnson