Pattern and Chaos: Fire and Ice by Becky Smith

Making a pattern bar is like having a conversation with the glass. After years of experimentation I have an understanding of how the glass will behave, an intuition of what it will say, and yet there is always a chance for a surprise statement.

Fire and Ice is a culmination of this conversation, the more rigid Roman bookend pattern bar vs the fluidity of a high fire both juxtaposed with the chaos and ever-changing pattern of vitrigraph pulled murrine. Using a semi-monochromatic pallet the work both whispers and shouts for the viewer to focus on the details of both the pattern and chaos.

I discovered glass at Kent State University in 2005 while obtaining my Bachelor of Arts in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design. I am currently the Kilnforming Studio Coordinator at Pittsburgh Glass Center and have been lucky to call PGC home for the past 13 years during which time I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from a phenomenal number of talented glass artists that have inspired my work. I explore a variety of techniques in my collections ranging from technical patterned panels to environmentally and geologically themed sculptural pieces.

Kiln-formed Pattern Bars, Hot Shop Pulled Murrini, Vitrograph Murrini Coldworked to a 600 grit Matt Finish

6"x18" each

Tech Apprentice, Local Artist

**Silent auction items close Sep. 17 at 10pm ET**