Turned On Artist: Jean Fernandes
Have you created sculptural lighting before? No, this is completely new territory for me as an artist. Lighting has always been difficult for me to even think about integrating into my sculpture, so I'm excited to be pushed into this new realm.
What is inspiring your piece for this show? My glass work is generally very inspired by physics and the natural properties of the material, so the work I am creating for this show also falls into those areas.
What do you think is the greatest challenge in creating the piece for this show? The biggest challenge for me is the mounting and hardware. I generally work with pedestals but making work that hangs on a wall or from the ceiling presents a whole new set of challenges.
If you participated in a residency here at PGC, how did that impact your process for creating this piece? The PGC team has been hugely supportive of me since I started in glass and I am so grateful I was given the opportunity to work with them in the studio. The studio staff helped me problem solve several issues I have been running into and were a great support throughout the residency. Just being in Pittsburgh and getting a chance to work at the amazing PGC facility is very inspiring. Thank you for the opportunity!
Pittsburgh Glass Center (PGC) flips the switch on June 3 to present a new lighting exhibition called, “Turned On: Lighting Hooks Up with Sculpture,” co-curated by PGC Executive Director Heather McElwee and artist Susan Taylor Glasgow. The exhibition will be on view until September 11, 2016.
Join us for a free opening reception on June 3 from 6-9pm! Many of the artists will be in attendance!
All photos courtesy of Nathan J. Shaulis/Porter Loves Creative.