A former lawyer, Auckland based cast glass artist Jenny Smith creates abstract works inspired by nature “to convey a sense of timeless strength”. From the delicate folds and sumptueous colours of her “Silk Roads: Patterns of Time” and the texturised bold forms of her Landscapes series, Smith seeks to evoke the sense of place, history, and drama that is embedded in our landscape.
She has exhibited in New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, the USA, UK, and France. Her critically acclaimed work has seen Smith be a finalist in the prestigious Australian Ranamok Glass Prize, and has twice won People’s Choice Prize at NZ Glass Society Members’ Exhibitions. In 2006 she was selected from glass artists worldwide by a British curator for a book titled "50 Distinguished Contemporary Artists in Glass."
awards
Jul 2007 Finalist in Ranamok Glass prize
Mar 2006 People's Choice award, NZSAG Members' Exhibition, Auckland
Jul 2005 Finalist in Ranamok Glass prize
Sep 2004 Honourable mention, 'Blown away - new forms in glass', juried online exhibition, www.postpicasso.com
Jan 2004 People's Choice award, NZSAG Members' Exhibition, Wanganui
public commissions
Apr 2007 Mayor of Auckland's Community Safety Awards 2007
publications
Dec 2009 Looking Glass: reflecting ideas, 2009 catalogue
Dec 2008 NZ House and Garden
Oct 2008 NZ Lawyer
Aug 2007 Ranamok Glass Prize catalogue
Late 2006 '50 Distinguished Contemporary Artists in Glass', IL Publishers, London
Feb 2006 National Business Review, 10/2/06. Critics' Choice column. Material Matters Exhibition
Sep 2005 Canberra Times, 5 September, p8, Ranamok Glass Prize
Aug 2005 Ranamok Glass Prize catalogue
May 2005 Video on selected New Zealand glass artists, presented at GAS conference, Adelaide, South Australia
Sep 2004 Juror's statement. 'Blown away - new forms in glass', juried online exhibition
Feb 2004 NZ Herald 25/2/04, pB7. Art Guide. Translucence Exhibition
recent selected exhibitions
2010 Shapeshifter 2010, Lower Hutt Civic Gardens
2009 Looking Glass: reflecting ideas, Sarjeant Gallery Whanganui and touring
Sculpture on the Hong Kong Sea, Hong Kong
The Molly Morpeth Canaday 3D wards, Whakatane
Encore 09, Glass Artists’ Gallery, Sydney
Sealink Small Sculpture Prize, Waiheke Community Gallery, Waiheke
2008 NZ Sculpture on Shore, Fort Takapuna, Auckland
Arcytype, Glass Artists’ Gallery, Sydney
Shapeshifter 2008, Civic Gardens and The New Dowse, Lower Hutt
2007 Bombay Sapphire Blue Room, Auckland and Wellington
Ranamok Glass Prize Exhibition, touring Australia Aug 07 to Jul 08
New Glass: Totem Towers, solo exhibition, Milford Galleries Queenstown