TRACE 2025 | An Exploration of Sustainable Glass Art

At 56, Negin Navabi stands as a celebrated figure in Iran’s contemporary art scene, renowned for her mastery in glass artistry. Born in Shiraz, she initially pursued Food Industries academically but soon turned to art, beginning her creative journey with ceramics. Over time, her fascination with glass led her to explore its transformative potential, marking a pivotal shift in her career. Negin’s early experiments in fused glass sparked her interest in mastering this delicate medium. To deepen her knowledge, she attended the Glass Furnace School in Istanbul, where she participated in specialized workshops. Her exceptional talent earned her a residency at this prestigious institution two years later, a milestone that shaped her artistic vision and techniques.

For over 15 years, Negin has dedicated herself to the intricate craft of glass casting. Through relentless experimentation, she developed a unique glass paste formula after six months of trials. This innovation has enabled her to create evocative sculptures that capture the depth and complexity of her artistic vision. Her works, often described as a blend of tradition and modernity, push the boundaries of glass as an artistic medium. Negin’s contributions have gained international recognition, with her work featured twice in Bulgaria’s renowned biennial exhibitions. These accolades reflect her position as a leading voice in contemporary glass art and her commitment to excellence. 

I live in Iran, where limited glassmaking facilities pushed me to innovate. I developed a unique pâte de verre paste using window glass powder, gelatin, gum, and sugar, enabling flexible sculpting and creations up to 25 cm in diameter. After months of experimentation and refining firing schedules, I combined pâte de verre with fused glass to expand my artistic range. My collection, “Nature in the Future,” envisions a world where artists and genetic science collaborate to bring imagined forms to life, blending art and innovation in a vision of living creations.

My glass artistry is deeply rooted in sustainability and environmental awareness. I use recycled glass as the primary material in my sculptures, transforming discarded resources into meaningful art. By repurposing glass, I aim to reduce waste and highlight the potential for renewal and transformation, promoting a more sustainable approach to material use. Through extensive experimentation, I developed a unique glass paste formula that allows me to combine various types of recycled glass into durable, visually striking sculptures. This innovation minimizes the need for raw materials and exemplifies creative reuse. Much of my work is inspired by nature, particularly marine ecosystems.

My series, “Nature in the Future,” reflects concerns about the fragility of these environments and the impact of human activity. By reimagining oceanic life in glass, I aim to evoke wonder and urgency, encouraging viewers to consider their relationship with nature and the need for preservation. Blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technologies, my work envisions collaborations between art and science to create sustainable solutions. It serves as both a creative response to environmental challenges and a call to action, urging reflection on humanity’s impact on the planet and showcasing the potential of art to inspire meaningful change.