Artist Statement

I believe that we all live on the edge of hell, and that we long for paradise. My work is optimistic and passionate. I like to use a lot of colors and layers. My work moves. It’s all about ‘Joie de Vivre’ (lust for life).

Does this mean that I am blind towards the misery of the world?

The answer is ‘Yes’. I could use the red color of blood in my work, but violence and tragedy do not inspire me. Maybe I am somewhat naïve, but I feel that art can make our world a better place.

Life without beauty would not be very uplifting.

Life is too short to live without things that are pleasing.

Technique

Sabine Snykers has been working in glass since 1980.

She received an MFA in glass from the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium, has won many awards, and she has artwork in the collection of The White House. As an independent studio artist, she is living in the beautiful Southeast.

Sabine Snykers creates fused glass artwork, handmade by herself, one-of-a-kind, signed, and dated. The technique is called mosaic inlaid work. Sometimes more than 50 pieces of glass, cut, ground, and polished go into one single piece. Each piece may go through as many as four separate firings. The first firing (1500F’) fully fuses all of the design elements together. The second and third firings are used to add more glass layers or fire polish the edges, after they are shaped by grinding and sanding. The glass may be shaped during the last firing. Often she fires gold on the glass, or engraves the art piece.

Resume

Born in Ostend, Belgium, Europe  March 29, 1961

PRIOR POSITIONS:

Independent Studio Artist living and working in California, USA

Art Instructor Allan Hancock College: Santa Maria, Lompoc and VABF

EDUCATION:

1981-1985          Royal Academy of Fine Arts: Antwerp, Belgium – BFA

1985-1988          National Higher Institute of Fine Arts: Antwerp, Belgium – MFA

1989-2001     Workshops glassfusing, casting and pate de verre: Bruges, Belgium; Santa Monica and Venice, California

AWARDS:

1985 – Now   Opel Prize General Motors (Antwerp, Belgium)

                        Felix de Boeck Prize Stained Galss (Brussels, Belgium)

                        Flanders Women Artists Fine Arts

                        NICHE Awards, Winner

                        Art Glass Association of Southern California

                        NICHE Awards, Finalist

                        Rotary Club of Studio City

                        NICHE Awards, Finalist

                        Rotary Club of Santa Barbara

                        Finalist Wardell Publications Glass Art Calendar 2001

MAJOR EXHIBITIONS & COLLECTIONS Solo and Group:

1985-2000     Antwerp, Brussels, Schilde, Kortrijk, Luik, Knokke, Gent, Brugge: BELGIUM

Castle of Romont: SWITZERLAND

                        Geldrop, Den Hague, Amsterdam: THE NETHERLANDS

                        Kanazawa: JAPAN

                        Poggenpohl Showroom, San Diego: CALIFORNIA

                        Invitational Glass Object for the White House: WASHINGTON, DC

                        Museum of Glass and Glasstechniques Hoogeveen: THE NETHERLANDS

                        Fine Arts and Crafts Shows and Galleries: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Pasadena, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Santa Monica, Topanga Canyon: CALIFORNIA

2000-Now      Glassartists Flanders Association, Antwerp: BELGIUM

                        Electrabel ‘UNICA’, Dept. of Energy, Antwerp: BELGIUM

                        Art Galleries in Amsterdam, Groningen, Tilburg, Leeuwarden, Art Glass Fair Leerdam

                        Glasmuseum Hoogeveen, Theater Hoogeveen: THE NETHERLANDS

                        Artwalk Santa Barbara Mission Canyon, Santa Monica College, Allan Hancock College

                        Artgallery, Orcutt, Santa Maria: CALIFORNIA

                        Artgallery, Beaufort, S. CAROLINA