ROCKFORD ART MUSEUM | COLLECTION | CONTEMPORARY GLASS

Ruth Brockmannn

Ruth Brockmannn's work revolves around mythologies, specifically those of the Pacific Northwest and in general, those found around the world. She draws on animal forms creating totemic masks and figures that reveal the interrelatedness and spirituality of all living things.

Since 1980, she has focused on various glass casting techniques including pâte de verre, of which Will Ewe Be Mine? is an example. The pâte de verre technique begins with her creating a clay positive from which a mold is made. The mold is then filled with fine pieces of colored glass and kiln fired to fuse the glass. This technique provides an unique speckled appearance to the sculpture.

Coming out of the second generation of contemporary glass artists, Brockmann is one of the few women, along with Ann Wolf, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien and Mary Ann “Toots” Zynsky, who have garnered international notoriety in an art movement that is predominantly male. She has been an avid parttaker of public art projects throughout her almost thirty year career including working with many schools in the Washington State Arts Commision since 1987, and glass murals for the Oregon State Arts Commision (1992) and Pierce County Library in Key Center, WA (1981).