Demetra Theofanous & Dean Bensen

My signature is a technique I developed for weaving glass, which allows me to create large scale sculptures by melting glass in the flame at a table top torch.   Technique merges with narratives in my work, to express metaphorical bridges between nature and human beings.  Inspired by the storytelling tradition of woven tapestry and basketry, I see myself as weaving with glass to connect the viewer with the story of the natural world.  Through the delicate nests, flowers, branches, and leaves in each piece, I seek to depict the cycle of life: growth, discovery, change and renewal.  I use the fluidity and fragility of glass to express the beauty and vulnerability inherent in the human experience.  I also consider the effect of time and choice and their impact on personal growth.  My eggs, buds, and flowers are key elements that evoke this notion of rebirth, becoming, and transformation of self.

My most recent work is an evolution from nests, or habitats, to vessels and continues to build upon the notion of transformation of self.  Containment is utilized as a metaphor for the human experience, contrasting protection and constraint, and the ultimate consequence on our personal path and growth.