Susanne Jøker Johnsen
Copenhagen, Denmark
Visiting Artist Summer Series Residency: July 23 – 27
Lecture: July 27, 2pm

Project Description

The project I wish to develop during the residency in Tacoma involves blown glass, regular clear crystal, various optical molds and color in rods.

By using this unique opportunity to work with the glass blowing team at Tacoma, I wish to continue my investigation of the intrinsic merits of glass such as optics and transparency. The goal with this project is to investigate, experiment and to develop a new body of work.

Using the expertise of the team, I wish to experiment with techniques and further investigate and develop the blown form, optic effects, surface texture and tactility, as well as colors and transparency in blown glass objects, with focus on organic, but yet defined form.

Artist Statement

With respect for good craftsmanship, my work explores the intrinsic merits of glass such as optics, texture and tactility.

By working with the specific qualities of glass as a material and with reference to the Scandinavian tradition of decorative design, I create objects in glass such as vases and bowls where colors, pattern, texture and form in combination with clear crystal makes the objects appear both organic and yet defined in form.

I was trained at the Kosta School of Glass and have apprenticed with Jan Erik Ritzman and Sven Ake Carlsson in Transjo Hytta, Sweden.

On several occasions I have studied and worked in the US; as a student, TA and now instructor at Pilchuck Glass School, as well as at The Studio at corning Museum of glass, NY. In 2000 I received a fellowship at CGCA, Wheaton Village, New Jersey.

I now live and work in Copenhagen and divide my time between making my work and teaching at the Glass and Ceramic School on Bornholm. I am currently in charge of European Glass Context at the Art Museum of Bornholm in Denmark.

My work is represented at Glasmuseet Ebeltoft and Museum of American Glass, and can be seen at galleries and shows in Europe and the US.

Artist Biography

Susanne Jøker Johnsen was trained at the Kosta School of Glass and as apprentice to Jan Erik Ritzman and Sven Åke Carlsson, Sweden . She has been a student and TA at Pilchuck on several occasions. In 2000 she received a fellowship at CGCA, Wheaton Village .

She now divides her time between making her own work and teaching at the Glass and Ceramic School on Bornholm .

Her work is represented at Glasmuseet Ebeltoft and Museum of American Glass , and can be seen at galleries and shows in Europe and the US.

With respect for good craftsmanship and a strong sense of Scandinavian design Susanne seeks out the genuine in her work, with exploration of colors, pattern, texture and form. Creating objects in glass such as vases and bowls where the textured and colored surface, in combination with clear crystal makes the objects appear both organic and yet defined in form.