Archives: Artists

In my most recent project, I wanted to draw attention to the dangers of over nitrification through agricultural runoff that is causing harmful algal blooms (HAB) in our oceans. The work referred to the organisms bioluminescence by utilizing the fluorescence of uranium glass under 500nm Ultraviolet illumination and drew attention to a little known but emergent ecological emergency.

Smit’s works are part of public collections, including the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, the Nationaal Glasmuseum in Leerdam, and the Glasmuseum Lette – Alter Hof Herding in Coesfeld. She has also participated in significant events such as the 60th International Art Biennial in Venice and PAN Amsterdam Art Fair further establishing her presence in the contemporary art scene.

The culmination of my BA project has resulted in my final collection ‘Love as a Homesickness’ comprised of a blown glass goblet, cup and dish. The project is an attempt to physicalise the internal self into the external, into objects. The work considers notions of autobiography and personal life experiences as a young woman.

The glass has been made with and manipulated by bronze tools cast from my body, such as: my finger prosthetic tools, teeth tools and more abstractly, claw tools cast from the inner self. The bronze tools work as an extension of the self and are used in place of traditional glassmaking hot shop tools.

The collection is solely comprised of functional-ware this is due to a focus on the uncanny in domesticity and the everyday. Although uneasy, the objects are all fully functional. The work is a comment on the extreme burden of womanhood and its intrinsic link to ideas of the mother and motherhood, and unbefitting domesticity, often leading one to feel out of place; questioning sanity.

I particularly love the technical potential of glass and my most recent series is a range of handmade glass pictures from glass sheet, glass frits and powders demonstrating their reactions with metals. The series includes pieces in a modern / post-impressionist style as well as abstract landscapes. My art journey feels like a reaction of knowledge, experiences and chemistry with materials – much like these pictures.
My qualifications in glass and ceramics (Higher Education Certificate from University for the Creative Arts, Farnham) and Adult Education courses at Morley college and Richmond Art school have broaden my technical skills. Thanks to wonderfully supportive teachers and mentors I have taken part in live exhibitions (Leicestershire, Bristol, Torquay, London), online CGS exhibitions and craft fairs; as well as exhibiting in Ireland, London and Tacoma (USA) via collaborative exhibitions.

I am a member of the Contemporary Glass Society and Just Glass group of artists. I am also a founding member of the UK Glass Art Collective – formed of 14 UK glass artists – who will be curating exhibitions each year and regularly collaborate and share knowledge. I am a regional coordinator for CGS for the South East of England along with Gabrielle Argent.

The inspiration for my work comes from my experiences in life, looking at a garden, listening to music or a poem, looking at fireworks or a landscape, or even the holes in the ground or prints on a pavement or road all give me ideas.
My latest project was on the environment, my piece was called the melting of the ice caps, it has been sold

Worshipful Company of Glaziers & Painters of Glass 2022 Stevens commission winner.

The current format of my personal practice is massively rewarding, as I am progressively enhancing the scale and complexity of each completed glasswork in combination with materials commonly found in industrial settings. I draw inspiration from graffiti culture, urban decay, brutalist architecture, and industrial design. I am particularly interested in the contrast between rigid, repetitive structures and the unpredictable patterns of decay. Utilising my broad skill set, I have begun fabricating systems that facilitate the transition from static glassworks to automated installations to be exhibited exclusively within gallery settings. My knowledge of glass, together with bonding and coldworking techniques, enables me to construct layered sculptures that explore depth and structure. These approaches are central to the approach to my latest body of work. Please get in touch regarding my availability to exhibit my work, opportunities for commissioned work or collaborative projects.