Name:  Evelyn Duberry

Medium:  flameworked glass

Background:  I discovered flameworked (or lampworked) glass in 2006. I’m primarily self-taught, however, in the last 2-3 years I’ve begun to take workshops to expand my skills. I recently returned from an amazing two week session with flameworked glass artist Carmen Lozar (whose work i adore) at the famous Pilchuck Glass School.

How long have you been a sculptor?  I started off making small wearable glass beads and over the years they became bigger and bigger as my skills developed. I’ve been creating small glass goddesses for several years and transitioned to large, non-wearable goddess sculptures in 2012.

Why did you start sculpting? Honestly, I just couldn’t help it… from my very first wonky glass bead, i started squishing, poking and manipulating the molten glass to suit my tastes. Hot glass is a medium that takes a significant amount of time to master so it’s only been in the last few years that my creations have begun to match – and sometimes even exceed – the images and plans in my head. Plus, it’s just so much fun to literally play with fire, heat and gravity to melt and sculpt molten glass into my heart’s desire.

What inspires you?  Life events; the many strong women in my life; ancient, contemporary and abstract art; how tribal art is  so personally integrated into daily life; and the wonderful buried legends surrounding goddess mythologies. I love using the exquisite qualities of glass to depict women in their strongest and weakest moments…

What is your favourite sculpture? My favourites change fairly regularly – currently i’m fascinated with the superbly expressive works of Nnamdi Okonkwo and Gene Pearson.

Which sculptures will you be exhibiting at Dimensions 2013?  I have three glass goddess sculptures in the exhibition – “Galaxy Queen”, “Quiet Moment in the Garden of Hope” and “Stone Angel”.

What will you be working on in the coming year?  I plan to continue incorporating the goddess theme into a series i’m creating called The Five Elements – two sculptures are completed so far, although i might revisit them. I’m also thinking of exploring the Seven Deadly Sins, once again through goddess sculptures.