Bibi Smit: I was asked how I got my passion for working with melted glass. I had decided to study art in England and was accepted as a first year student in Farnham, at the West Surrey College of Art and Design. During my introduction year, whenever I went into the main building, I would take a long look at people working with glass and I became fascinated by the medium. I saw this liquid, metamorphic, living material; so full of expression that we could make art with it. I found a connection between painting in watercolour and glassblowing. Because of the transparency of the colours on the glass and how they stayed on top of each layer, it was like painting in watercolour with glass.
I love the directness of working with glass, both sand casting and glass blowing. In sand casting, you scoop the hot glass from the pot and pour it into a sand mould and the pieces become very beautiful heavy objects of glass. I love the intimacy of glassblowing even more; being physically closer to the glass, breathing into it, touching it with the tools. When I work with hot glass, I have a connection with the material and see how it moves and how I can work with that movement. I have the same feeling about cutting and polishing because it is a beautiful contrast to the hot glass. It has a meditative quality and it allows me to think about the pieces. It's more relaxed and zen. I find it really calming because it is totally different. It's a nice combination of hot and cold techniques to get the shape I want.
Bibi Smit in her studio
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Many thanks,
The Cadeau Vrienden 200 jaar organising committee