Exhibition
19 April – 24 May 2013
glass sculptures by
Corinne Whitlatch
Glass artist Corinne Whitlatch presents glass wall sculptures that reflect her travels in Palestine and the Middle East, and her thoughts on the peace these lands seek. Many of the works contain glass, iron and pottery shards the artist acquired on her travels. Titles such as Beit Jala Besiged, Cyprus Lamenatation, Tunisia’s Memoir and Shiraz Rose indicate the range of her interest. Her series of wall and window pieces reflects images and narratives drawn from her 30 years of employment related to the Middle East. She is inspired by the shards and artifacts gathered on travels across the region – from Morocco to Iran and Turkey. Found objects, ceramics, pressed plants, minerals and mosaics are joined with glass and hammered and pierced brass. Her designs are influenced by the study of Islamic ornamentation and of Middle Eastern cultures, history and political struggles. She will also exhibit a unique installation called “The Ultimate Washington Dinner Party” (with a nod to Judy Chicago), comprising a series of plates inspired by notables whom she would like to engage in conversation.
See Corinne Whitlatch’s presentation on her work from the Opening Reception below:
SPECIAL EVENT
Tuesday, 30 April, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Demonstration of glass sculpture techniques
Glass artist Corinne Whitlatch will demonstrate her techniques in creating glass sculptures. Her work incorporates handmade glass by artisanal glassblowers in Palestine, as well as found objects such as pottery shards, beads, crockery, semi-precious stones, wire, copper and more. She will discuss the use of found objects as symbolism, sources for her motifs, as well as demonstrate the construction of her sculptures and the series of plates she calls, “The Ultimate Washington Dinner Party.”
Meet the Artist
She taught at the Des Moines Art Center (then directed by Jim Demetrion who later became director of the Hirshhorn), participated in the NEA’s Artist-in-the-Schools programs through the Iowa Arts Council and did commissions and art work. In 1985 she moved to Washington and laid aside her art ambitions while she was Executive Director for 22 years of Churches for Middle East Peace, a nonprofit involved in Middle East peace activities. This was preceded by six years of part-time work as Middle East Peace Education staff in the north central states for the American Friends Service Committee.
In 1998 she spent a two month sabbatical in Bethlehem teaching local women
to make new items for the tourist market using broken window glass,
bottles and scrap from the glass-blowers of Hebron. A student’s success
was a topic of “Bethlehem Besieged: Stories of Hope in Times of Trouble”
by Lutheran Pastor Mitri Raheb of Bethlehem.
