| Benjamin Kikkert |
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Based out of Vancouver, Canada, Benjamin Kikkert pursues a sometimes-nomadic lifestyle as an emerging glass artist. A graduate of the Sheridan College Craft & Design Program, he has recently worked as an instructor and technician at the Red Deer College Summer School of the Arts, a teaching assistant at the Pilchuck School of Glass, and as an assistant to several established artists across North America. Focusing on blown glass sculpture, his work is inspired by themes reflecting his passion for the landscapes of the west coast. Stylized barnacles encrust organic and industrial forms. He utilizes a blend of traditional and unconventional techniques in his approach to glass. Recipient of the William & Mary Concoran Award for fine craft, Benjamin continues his training as a glassblower researching and working in several different private glass studios. He is currently working as a guest artist at the I Blew It Studio on Quadra Island. “Memories of mountains and oceans provide inspiration for the objects I make. Forces of nature that are powerful enough to shape the landscape in a split second can be studied as they work over eons. The French definition for the word “souvenir” emphasizes the memory associated with an object. The objects I make are my souvenirs; my impressions of different environments. I'm intrigued with the complexities of an ocean shoreline. What first appears as random chaos becomes a flowing stratum of life and landscape. Subtle patterns and relationships push together in vibrant textures both alien and familiar. Objects change to reflect the history of their environment, such as a stone can be ground smooth and encrusted with life. I highlight the gritty beauty of this realm with the objects I create. I make glass objects that allude to a passage of time. I combine traditional glass blowing techniques and industrially inspired glass forms with organic, landscaped forms and textures”. Exhibitions 2009 Fundival Art Auction, Christina Lake Art & Artisan’s Society, Christina Lake BC Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, ON Glass Fashion Extravaganza, Corning Museum of Glass, Corning NY 37th Annual International Invitational, Habatat Gallery, Royal Oak, MI All Canadian Glass Show– Hodgell Gallery, Sarasota FLA 2008 "2 x 6”, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto ON “Glass + Light = Magic”, BC Glass Art Association Show, Roundhouse Arts & Recreation Centre, Vancouver BC 2007 Captured Light, 8th Biennial BC Glass Art Exhibition, Vancouver, BC Lucent – A Survey of Contemporary Canadian Glass Calgary & Edmonton, AB 2006 Medicine Hills Arts Festival, Lacombe, AB GAAC Member’s Exhibition, Red Deer, AB Bunnies and Bon Bons, New-Small and Sterling Gallery, Vancouver Enlightenment, Ayden Gallery, Vancouver Robots and Monsters, Ayden Gallery, Vancouver 2005 POPULAR, Art Gallery of Calgary Pilchuck Glass School 27th Annual Auction, Seattle, WA downtown 2005, New York City News, Sandra Ainsley Gallery, Toronto, ON National Glass Graduate Exhibition, Material Matters, Toronto Breathing Room, Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Waterloo, ON Interior Design Show, Toronto, ON Glass Fashion Show, Surrealist Ball, Seattle Sheridan House Gallery
2004 GAS Student Exhibition, New Orleans, LA Glass Fashion Show, New Orleans Design Exchange, Toronto Sheridan House Gallery 2003 Glass Fashion Show, Toronto GAAC Member’s Exhibition, Toronto |
