Organic and whimsical glass sculptures by a Vancouver artist can be seen at the Kiwanis Gallery in the Red Deer Public Library.
The gallery operated by the Red Deer Arts Council presents GlassEarth: Mixed Media by Larissa Blokhuis from Monday to Aug. 24.
Blokhuis, who is drawn to depicting flora and fauna, often incorporates ceramic, steel, wool, polymer and wood with glass to lend a spontaneous element to her forms, making them feel more natural and organic.
The artist feels human development has steered us away from the natural world, “which is a false division,” leading to a broken bond and rapid climate change.
In this show, Blokhuis re-imagines the natural world as it might appear if our climate warms to the same degree as during our pre-historic past.
She studied ancient plant and animal life and then visualized “something similarly strange, yet beautiful.”
“I am always looking for pattern, repetition and contrast, and when I find these elements they often become the nucleus of an idea for my art,” states the artist.
An opening reception for the GlassEarth exhibit will be held on Friday, July 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served.