September 2006: Erika Kohr Blown Glass

Erika Kohr sculpts in both hand blown glass and cloth. She explores emotion and our connections to nature. Using techniques of blowing and manipulating hot glass, Kohr creates images of hearts, wings and femalee forms. Much of her work addresses the concept of pollination as a metaphor to describe a necessary process for humans as well as plants. Soft sculpture (bean bag) plants peeking out of clear glass dome enclosures represent a safe yet unfertile personal space.  The pattern of a birdcage imposed on the female form implies both limitations and structure while sets of glass wings represent the human spirit.  A glass anatomical heart covered in a honeycomb pattern represents the strength yet fragility of the heart, while the full cup supported below speaks of a replenishing.  In addition to making fine art she has worked with many independent glass artists and production studios throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Italian glass Maestro Lino Tagliapietra. Erika has taught glassblowing at Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle, WA, Firehouse no. 12 in Vancouver, WA and has worked as a teaching assistant at Pilchuck Glass School.