ARTIST STATEMENT
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As a child I was always drawing, and from the age of ten onwards, I was really drawn to watercolour. Looking back, I think watercolour has something innate that glass also has: a kind of transparency, immediacy and spontaneity. These same characteristics I found in glassblowing at a later age. Hot glass for me seems to be alive, the way that it flows and moves and radiates light, it totally fascinates me. I take photographs of things that interest me, sometimes not knowing why, and it may take five or ten years before a piece develops from a series of photographs or sketches or ideas that I have had.
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The piece needs to have a movement in it. It needs to be alive; it needs to convey a message or a thought or feeling to another person. And glass to me is the perfect material to express movement. It is like wind; you don’t see wind, but you see trees moving, waves flowing. Everything is moving, nothing is static. And that is, for me, the essence of life. Life doesn’t stand still; it is always moving. I find that really exciting.
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ABOUT
Bibi Smit is a Dutch artist. Her work explores the patterns, rhythms and colours of movement in nature. Her creative process is focused on the relationship between natural phenomena and the fluidity of hot glass, original experimentation, and craftsmanship. By being able to control all processes, both in the hotshop and coldshop, her work shows an acute attention to detail and technique. She grew up in The Netherlands before attending West Surry College of Art and Design in Farnham, UK (BA 1988), where she was first introduced to glassblowing. Completely fascinated by this material and technique, she went on to learn more from Willem Heesen (Holland), David Kaplan (Scotland) and Boyd Sugiki (Pilchuck, USA).
Smit began exhibiting her work from 1990 and established her own studio in 1991. Her work can be found in galleries throughout Europe and het artwork is held in numerous collections and museums. She is an active member of the Glass Art Society (USA). In 2019, the documentary Moving Glass was selected for the North Lands Creative Film Festival. The Glassmaker episode from a World of Calm Series streaming at HBO Max, is a poetic narrative of her work and the power of nature. To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Mauritshuis Museum, The Hague, she was commissioned to make an artwork. She designed and made a 6 meter high artwork, which was revealed in 2023 and which is on permanent display in the museum. The mini documentary Whirl of Life explores the creative processes behind this milestone artwork. Bibi Smit lives and works in the Netherlands.
SELECTED SOLO/DUO EXHIBITIONS
2023 Fragile, Galerie A-Quadraat, NL
2022 Venice Glass Week, IT
2016-2022 Salone del Mobile, Milano, Palazzo Francesco Turati, Italy
2018 “Glas en Keramiekbeurs” Leerdam, NL, “Copier Unveiled”
2011-18 “Meesterlijk”, Amsterdam, NL
2010 “Future Memories”, Galerie Broft, Leerdam, NL
2006 “Fragile Connections”, (with Elizabeth Swinburne), Gallery Leon Salet, Maastricht, NL
2001 Glass Gallery Leerdam, Leerdam (with Floris Meydam), NL
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 Galerie Handwerk, Munich, DE
2023 Galerie Wilms, Venlo, NL
2023 MPV Gallery, Oisterwijk, and Art The Hague, NL
2022 Coburg Prize Exhibition for Contemporary Glass, Coburg, DE
2022 Galerie Wilms, Venlo, and PAN Amsterdam, NL
2022 Gallery Ten, Edinburgh, UK
2022 MPV Gallery, Oisterwijk, NL
2022 Venice Glass Week, Venice, IT
2022 Art[s] Gallery, Noordwijk, NL
2021 National Glass Prize Exhibition, Sunderland, UK
2021 Connections, Glass Art Society, Virtual 2021, USA
2021 Kunstexpositie, De Kliuw Galerie, Heeze, NL
2020 PAN Amsterdam, Galerie Wilms, NL
2019 Gallery Bonnard, NL
2018-2019 Masterly The Hague, NL
2018 “TRANS-FORM”, London Design Festival, Mint, London, UK
2015-2016 “Royal Showpieces”, Paleis Het Loo, Apeldoorn, NL
2016 “11th Biennial International Glass Art”, Roermond, NL
2016 “A Vases is a Vase is a Vase”, AD Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium
2015 Maison & Objet, Paris, France
2014 “10th Biennial International Glass Art”, Roermond, NL
2014 “Glass of the Netherlands”, Glass Museum Immenhausen, Germany
2013 Palace Oranienbaum, Germany
2012 Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven, NL
2008 “Reflections: A Decade of North Lands Creative Glass”, Royal Museum/Museum of
Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
2007 “Moderne Hollandsk Glas”, Lærken Galeria og Museum for Moderne Kunst, Nykøbing
Falster, Denmark
2007 “Masters and Techniques”, Het Glazen Huis, Lommel, Belgium
2006 “De Nieuwe Garde en Jonge Gasten”, manifestation “GLAS”
2006 Museum Jan van der Togt, Amstelveen, NL
2006 Coda Museum, Apeldoorn, NL
2004 “Het Meervoud van Glas”, National Glassmuseum Leerdam, NL
2004 “Dutch Glass Art at Nordstan”, Götenburg, Sweden
2004 Holland Art Fair, (showing at stand of Gallery Artra), The Hague, NL
2002 “Contemporary Art in Glass”, exh. by Glassmovement.nl in Gemeente Archief
Amsterdam, NL
2001 “Glass Connections”, National Glass Centre, Sunderland, UK
1998 “Glass UK, British Contemporary Glass”, National Glass Centre, Sunderland and then touring to the City Art Gallery, Edinburgh UK
1997 Expo Glass Art Society International, Tucson, Arizona, USA
1996 “Venezia Aperto Vetro”, Museo Correr, Venice, Italy
1996 “British Studio Glass”, Touring Exhibition to Bratislava and Prague (Slovak and Czech
Republic) and London, UK
1994 “British Artists in Glass”, Guinness Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
1992 Transparence Gallery, Brussels, Belgium
PUBLIC and PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
National Museums of Scotland, Great Britain
Nationaal Glasmuseum Leerdam, NL
Museum Jan (formally named Museum Jan van der Togt), Amstelveen, NL
NN Group Art Collection, The Netherlands
L.R. Crystal, Glassmuseum, Lednické Rovne, Slovak Republic
Dan Klein & Alan J. Poole (Private Collection of Glass)
Collection North Lands Creative Glass, Lybster, Scotland
Museum für Glaskunst, Lauscha, Germany
Glasmuseum Alter Hof Herding, Ernsting-Stiftung, Coesfeld, Germany
EDUCATION | WORK EXPERIENCE
1988-1989 Glass Assistant at Lindean Mill Glass, Galashiels, Scotland
1987 Trainee with Willem Heesen, Leerdam, The Netherlands
1985-1988 West Surrey College of Art and Design, Farnham, UK, B.A. Honours 3-D Design, Glass
1984-1985 West Surrey College of Art and Design, Farnham, UK, Foundation Course.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2015 Guest teacher at the "Gooische Kinder Kunst Academie, Hilversum, NL
2003 Guest Lecturer at the University of Leiden (Faculty of Creative & Performing Arts and the College of Visual Arts, Dance & Music, The Hague)
2002 Guest Lecturer at Edinburgh College of Art and University of Sunderland, UK
1999 Lecturer 10-day "2nd International Glass Workshop for Women" at Nuutajärvi, (Häme Polytechnic, Wetterhoff School of Crafts and Design), Finland
1998-2006 Co-ordinator Hot Glass workshop programme, head lecturer glassblowing workshops at Van Tetterode Hot Glass Studio, Amsterdam, NL
1997-1998 Supporting the establishment of Van Tetterode Hot Glass Studio, Amsterdam, in charge of Hot Glass workshop programme development.
1996 Guest Lecturer at Denmark Design School, Copenhagen, Denmark
1995-1997 Part-time lecturer and head of the "Hot Glass"-department at the B.A. Honours 3-Dimensional Design (Glass, Architectural Glass, Ceramics) Programme at the University of Sunderland, England, UK
1991-1995 Visiting Lecturer at the Glass Department, Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland
1990 Conducted two 5-day workshops at the Art Glass Centre, Schalkwijk, NL
OTHER ACTIVITIES include:
2006-2012 Committee member of the Society of Friends of Modern Glass, NL.
2004 Invited to participate in the 7th International Glass Symposium Lauscha, Germany.
Attended workshop with Boyd Sugiki at Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, USA .
2003 Artist in Residency (2-month period) at North Lands Creative Glass, Lybster, Scotland.
1997 Attended "Inspirational Workshop" at North Lands Creative Glass, Lybster, Scotland.
SELECTED COMMISSIONS since 1996
2022/3 Commission by Friends of the Mauritshuis Museum to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the museum, The Hague, NL
2018 "Copier Unveiled", design commission Royal Leerdam Crystal, NL
2011 Design and manufacture of 7 awards for Dubo Limburg, Belgium
2007 Design of "Beursobject", (limited edition of 250, manufactured at Novy Bor, Tsjech Rep), Glaskunstbeurs, Leerdam, NL
Design of 8 "Unica" for "Africa aan de Linge", Royal Leerdam Crystal, NL
2002 "Ledenobject", (limited edition of 119), Society of Friends of Modern Glass, NL
1999 Design "Annual Object, Institution Cristal Supérieur 1999", Royal Leerdam Cristal, NL
1996 Four vases for Historic Scotland, situated in Stirling Castle Chapel, Scotland
LITERATURE
2023 The DNA of the Autumn, NeuesGlas/NewGlass Magazine, issue 4, pages 8-13
2021 BIBI SMIT 30 jaar 'in het glas', Vereniging Vrienden van Modern Glas, issue 2
2020 Article in magazine "Herenhuis", nr 77 (may/june 2020), page 48-51
2013 "Dit is Meesterlijk - historisch vakwerk als inspiratie voor hedendaagse vormgevers" , NL
Glasrijk Tubbergen, International Glass Art Event, NL
2012 "Dutch Design", Huis van Oranje, Paleis Oranienbaum
2010 Newspaper "Gooi- en Eemlander", lifestyle magazine, autumn issue
2006 Catalogue: "Reflections: A Decade of North Lands Creative Glass", Scotland
Catalogue: "The Glass Age: New Guard & Young Fellows", NL
2005 "Fjoezzz", kwartaalblad van de Vereniging Vrienden van Modern Glas, issue 4, p14&15
2001 "Sunderland Glass Connections", catalogue, University of Sunderland, England
2000 "This Side Up!", issue 10, summer 2000, p8&9
1999 "This Side Up!", issue 7, autumn 1999, p27
1998 Glasbulletin Vereniging Vrienden van Modern Glas 12th year, issue 4, p11-13, NL
1996 Venezia Aperto Vetro (International New Glass), EBS, San Giovanni Lupatoto, Verona, Italy
1993 Lexicon Moderne Nederlandse Glaskunst 1900-1992, Antiek Lochum b.v., Lochum, NL
Bibi Smit is a Dutch artist. Her work explores the patterns, rhythms and colours of movement in nature. Her creative process is focused on the relationship between natural phenomena and the fluidity of hot glass, original experimentation, and craftsmanship. By being able to control all processes, both in the hotshop and coldshop, her work shows an acute attention to detail and technique. She grew up in The Netherlands before attending West Surry College of Art and Design in Farnham, UK (BA 1988), where she was first introduced to glassblowing. Completely fascinated by this material and technique, she went on to learn more from Willem Heesen (Holland), David Kaplan (Scotland) and Boyd Sugiki (Pilchuck, USA).
Smit began exhibiting her work from 1990 and established her own studio in 1991. Her work can be found in galleries throughout Europe and het artwork is held in numerous collections and museums. She is an active member of the Glass Art Society (USA). In 2019, the documentary Moving Glass was selected for the North Lands Creative Film Festival. The Glassmaker episode from a World of Calm Series streaming at HBO Max, is a poetic narrative of her work and the power of nature. To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Mauritshuis Museum, The Hague, she was commissioned to make an artwork. She designed and made a 6 meter high artwork, which was revealed in 2023 and which is on permanent display in the museum. The mini documentary Whirl of Life explores the creative processes behind this milestone artwork. Bibi Smit lives and works in the Netherlands.
SELECTED SOLO/DUO EXHIBITIONS
2023 Fragile, Galerie A-Quadraat, NL
2022 Venice Glass Week, IT
2016-2022 Salone del Mobile, Milano, Palazzo Francesco Turati, Italy
2018 “Glas en Keramiekbeurs” Leerdam, NL, “Copier Unveiled”
2011-18 “Meesterlijk”, Amsterdam, NL
2010 “Future Memories”, Galerie Broft, Leerdam, NL
2006 “Fragile Connections”, (with Elizabeth Swinburne), Gallery Leon Salet, Maastricht, NL
2001 Glass Gallery Leerdam, Leerdam (with Floris Meydam), NL
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 Galerie Handwerk, Munich, DE
2023 Galerie Wilms, Venlo, NL
2023 MPV Gallery, Oisterwijk, and Art The Hague, NL
2022 Coburg Prize Exhibition for Contemporary Glass, Coburg, DE
2022 Galerie Wilms, Venlo, and PAN Amsterdam, NL
2022 Gallery Ten, Edinburgh, UK
2022 MPV Gallery, Oisterwijk, NL
2022 Venice Glass Week, Venice, IT
2022 Art[s] Gallery, Noordwijk, NL
2021 National Glass Prize Exhibition, Sunderland, UK
2021 Connections, Glass Art Society, Virtual 2021, USA
2021 Kunstexpositie, De Kliuw Galerie, Heeze, NL
2020 PAN Amsterdam, Galerie Wilms, NL
2019 Gallery Bonnard, NL
2018-2019 Masterly The Hague, NL
2018 “TRANS-FORM”, London Design Festival, Mint, London, UK
2015-2016 “Royal Showpieces”, Paleis Het Loo, Apeldoorn, NL
2016 “11th Biennial International Glass Art”, Roermond, NL
2016 “A Vases is a Vase is a Vase”, AD Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium
2015 Maison & Objet, Paris, France
2014 “10th Biennial International Glass Art”, Roermond, NL
2014 “Glass of the Netherlands”, Glass Museum Immenhausen, Germany
2013 Palace Oranienbaum, Germany
2012 Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven, NL
2008 “Reflections: A Decade of North Lands Creative Glass”, Royal Museum/Museum of
Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
2007 “Moderne Hollandsk Glas”, Lærken Galeria og Museum for Moderne Kunst, Nykøbing
Falster, Denmark
2007 “Masters and Techniques”, Het Glazen Huis, Lommel, Belgium
2006 “De Nieuwe Garde en Jonge Gasten”, manifestation “GLAS”
2006 Museum Jan van der Togt, Amstelveen, NL
2006 Coda Museum, Apeldoorn, NL
2004 “Het Meervoud van Glas”, National Glassmuseum Leerdam, NL
2004 “Dutch Glass Art at Nordstan”, Götenburg, Sweden
2004 Holland Art Fair, (showing at stand of Gallery Artra), The Hague, NL
2002 “Contemporary Art in Glass”, exh. by Glassmovement.nl in Gemeente Archief
Amsterdam, NL
2001 “Glass Connections”, National Glass Centre, Sunderland, UK
1998 “Glass UK, British Contemporary Glass”, National Glass Centre, Sunderland and then touring to the City Art Gallery, Edinburgh UK
1997 Expo Glass Art Society International, Tucson, Arizona, USA
1996 “Venezia Aperto Vetro”, Museo Correr, Venice, Italy
1996 “British Studio Glass”, Touring Exhibition to Bratislava and Prague (Slovak and Czech
Republic) and London, UK
1994 “British Artists in Glass”, Guinness Gallery, Dublin, Ireland
1992 Transparence Gallery, Brussels, Belgium
PUBLIC and PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
National Museums of Scotland, Great Britain
Nationaal Glasmuseum Leerdam, NL
Museum Jan (formally named Museum Jan van der Togt), Amstelveen, NL
NN Group Art Collection, The Netherlands
L.R. Crystal, Glassmuseum, Lednické Rovne, Slovak Republic
Dan Klein & Alan J. Poole (Private Collection of Glass)
Collection North Lands Creative Glass, Lybster, Scotland
Museum für Glaskunst, Lauscha, Germany
Glasmuseum Alter Hof Herding, Ernsting-Stiftung, Coesfeld, Germany
EDUCATION | WORK EXPERIENCE
1988-1989 Glass Assistant at Lindean Mill Glass, Galashiels, Scotland
1987 Trainee with Willem Heesen, Leerdam, The Netherlands
1985-1988 West Surrey College of Art and Design, Farnham, UK, B.A. Honours 3-D Design, Glass
1984-1985 West Surrey College of Art and Design, Farnham, UK, Foundation Course.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2015 Guest teacher at the "Gooische Kinder Kunst Academie, Hilversum, NL
2003 Guest Lecturer at the University of Leiden (Faculty of Creative & Performing Arts and the College of Visual Arts, Dance & Music, The Hague)
2002 Guest Lecturer at Edinburgh College of Art and University of Sunderland, UK
1999 Lecturer 10-day "2nd International Glass Workshop for Women" at Nuutajärvi, (Häme Polytechnic, Wetterhoff School of Crafts and Design), Finland
1998-2006 Co-ordinator Hot Glass workshop programme, head lecturer glassblowing workshops at Van Tetterode Hot Glass Studio, Amsterdam, NL
1997-1998 Supporting the establishment of Van Tetterode Hot Glass Studio, Amsterdam, in charge of Hot Glass workshop programme development.
1996 Guest Lecturer at Denmark Design School, Copenhagen, Denmark
1995-1997 Part-time lecturer and head of the "Hot Glass"-department at the B.A. Honours 3-Dimensional Design (Glass, Architectural Glass, Ceramics) Programme at the University of Sunderland, England, UK
1991-1995 Visiting Lecturer at the Glass Department, Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland
1990 Conducted two 5-day workshops at the Art Glass Centre, Schalkwijk, NL
OTHER ACTIVITIES include:
2006-2012 Committee member of the Society of Friends of Modern Glass, NL.
2004 Invited to participate in the 7th International Glass Symposium Lauscha, Germany.
Attended workshop with Boyd Sugiki at Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, USA .
2003 Artist in Residency (2-month period) at North Lands Creative Glass, Lybster, Scotland.
1997 Attended "Inspirational Workshop" at North Lands Creative Glass, Lybster, Scotland.
SELECTED COMMISSIONS since 1996
2022/3 Commission by Friends of the Mauritshuis Museum to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the museum, The Hague, NL
2018 "Copier Unveiled", design commission Royal Leerdam Crystal, NL
2011 Design and manufacture of 7 awards for Dubo Limburg, Belgium
2007 Design of "Beursobject", (limited edition of 250, manufactured at Novy Bor, Tsjech Rep), Glaskunstbeurs, Leerdam, NL
Design of 8 "Unica" for "Africa aan de Linge", Royal Leerdam Crystal, NL
2002 "Ledenobject", (limited edition of 119), Society of Friends of Modern Glass, NL
1999 Design "Annual Object, Institution Cristal Supérieur 1999", Royal Leerdam Cristal, NL
1996 Four vases for Historic Scotland, situated in Stirling Castle Chapel, Scotland
LITERATURE
2023 The DNA of the Autumn, NeuesGlas/NewGlass Magazine, issue 4, pages 8-13
2021 BIBI SMIT 30 jaar 'in het glas', Vereniging Vrienden van Modern Glas, issue 2
2020 Article in magazine "Herenhuis", nr 77 (may/june 2020), page 48-51
2013 "Dit is Meesterlijk - historisch vakwerk als inspiratie voor hedendaagse vormgevers" , NL
Glasrijk Tubbergen, International Glass Art Event, NL
2012 "Dutch Design", Huis van Oranje, Paleis Oranienbaum
2010 Newspaper "Gooi- en Eemlander", lifestyle magazine, autumn issue
2006 Catalogue: "Reflections: A Decade of North Lands Creative Glass", Scotland
Catalogue: "The Glass Age: New Guard & Young Fellows", NL
2005 "Fjoezzz", kwartaalblad van de Vereniging Vrienden van Modern Glas, issue 4, p14&15
2001 "Sunderland Glass Connections", catalogue, University of Sunderland, England
2000 "This Side Up!", issue 10, summer 2000, p8&9
1999 "This Side Up!", issue 7, autumn 1999, p27
1998 Glasbulletin Vereniging Vrienden van Modern Glas 12th year, issue 4, p11-13, NL
1996 Venezia Aperto Vetro (International New Glass), EBS, San Giovanni Lupatoto, Verona, Italy
1993 Lexicon Moderne Nederlandse Glaskunst 1900-1992, Antiek Lochum b.v., Lochum, NL