CONNECTION 2025
Glass From Every Angle
GAS MEMBER EXHIBITION
CONNECTION 2025: Glass from Every Angle explores the boundless possibilities of glass as both a technical and conceptual medium, showcasing the work of artists from around the world who are redefining its expressive potential. This exhibition highlights the innovative spirit of members of the Glass Art Society, whose diverse approaches challenge tradition, embrace experimentation, and expand the field in unexpected directions.
First Place | “ART 02” by Tuva Gonsholt
đNorway
Tuva Gonsholt, lives and work in Skien, Norway. She is educated at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, School and Design, Bornholm, Denmark in 2023. Gonsholt has worked with various glassblowers and designers both in Norway and Denmark. In 2008, she established her own company, Tuva Glass, with a cold shop at Spriten Kunsthall, Skien. She has completed several public art commissions, and my work is represented in the following public collections: The National Museum, KODE, The Nordenfjelske Museum of Art and Design (NO), The EuropĂ€isches Museum fĂŒr Moderne Glas (DE) and The MusĂše Du Verre â Charleroi (BE). She has participated in various solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally, including the Annual Exhibition (NO), the European Prize for Applied Arts (BE) and Collect (UK). Tuva Gonsholt has also received several grants and awards for her work, and became a member of The Norwegian Association of Arts and Crafts in 2003.
Insects and other strange creatures inspire my work. I transform a specimenâs decoration, shape or color into something of my own artistic expression. In this project, I play with the ambiguity of the word âARTâ. Art as in species or art as in artistic creation. Based on this wordplay, I explore the surprise in form and expression that arises in the glass after the objects have gone through their process. Wondrous shapes, almost like undiscovered species, are classified and arranged in their own habitat.
Second Place | “Peaceful Warrior” by Hilal Hibri
đUnited States
Hilal (Lalo) Hibri is a multidisciplinary artist celebrated for his ability to combine traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge techniques in glass sculpture. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, and now based in San Antonio, Texas, Hilalâs journey into the world of art began with a deep appreciation for light, texture, and form. His early work focused on mastering analog techniques such as glass casting, mold-making, and surface finishing, skills that laid the foundation for his distinctive artistic voice. Hilalâs work is deeply inspired by nature, drawing on patterns like the Fibonacci sequence, fractals, and the dynamic interplay of structure and chaos. His creations range from small, intricate sculptures to large-scale public installations, each reflecting his dedication to precision and creativity. A standout project, “The Fractalarium,” is a 15-foot Fibonacci-inspired lighting installation that has become a beloved permanent feature at a Texas science museum. Its striking interplay of light and geometry embodies Hilalâs passion for creating immersive and thought-provoking art. Over the years, Hilal has expanded his practice to include other materials such as resin, metal, and stone, blending them seamlessly with glass to create multi-dimensional works.
Hibri’s artwork bridges the organic with the geometric, exploring the interplay of light, form, and texture. Inspired by natural patterns such as the Fibonacci sequence and fractals, he uses traditional glass casting techniques alongside innovative methods to create works that balance control with spontaneity. Each piece is designed to evoke wonder and reflection, encouraging viewers to connect with the transformative nature of glass and the beauty of its imperfections. Hibri’s goal is to push the boundaries of what glass can express, creating art that resonates emotionally while celebrating the intricate patterns and structures of the natural world.
Third Place | “TRACHEA” by Serenay GĂŒlyagcı
đTĂŒrkiye
Serenay GĂŒlyagcı was born on May 11, 1995, in Istanbul. She started her undergraduate studies in the Ceramics and Glass Design Department at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in 2013. She graduated in 2021. In 2023, she started her master’s degree in Glass Department at Anadolu University and is currently continuing her studies. She continues her work with the integration of different disciplines.
Humanity, developing in nature, has started to shape its environment with the desire to meet its physiological and spiritual needs in a changing order. This has disrupted the natural balance. The story begins with the planting of living glass in cans, and the imbalance can only regain balance with the integrity of contrast. Harmony is perhaps not so far away. The breath passes through this heated thin tube and shapes the glass. As long as the ends of the thin tubes remain open, the glass continues to live. It is as if the glass needs to breathe to live.
GALLERY
Jurors
Dr. August Jordan Davis |Â Art HIstorian + Curator
Dr. August Jordan Davis is an art historian and curator. Originally from Dallas, Dr. Davis studied and was on faculty in the UK for 25 years. Her doctoral research in modern and contemporary art is from the University of Liverpool. Dr. Davis served as faculty at several UK universities across various regions of England. From 2011 â 2019, she served as Director of The Winchester Gallery and MA Program Leader for the contemporary curation masterâs program she created at the historic Winchester School of Art, part of the University of Southampton (member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities). In 2019, Dr. Davis returned to the DFW metroplex to become the Department Chair for the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she also serves as tenured Associate Professor of Art History. Since 2022, Dr. Davis also has served as Director of The Gallery at UTA. Publishing internationally for over two decades on a range of art historical issues, Dr. Davis also has been invited to speak about art and curation across the USA, as well as in Europe, India, China, and Turkey. Her current curated exhibition, Paper Trails: showcasing the work of three women artists across two generations each of whom do the unexpected with printed matter, was on show at UTA 5th September â 12th October.
Narrae Kang |Â 2024 GAS Member Exhibition Winner
Narrae Kang delves into the intricate dynamics of personal experiences and domesticity, crafting her artistic journey with roots in the vibrant landscapes of Hawaii. Nurtured in the bustling port city of Busan and refined through her studies in Seoul, Kangâs creative spirit found expression in various forms. Armed with a Bachelorâs degree in Spatial Design and professional experience as an Architectural Lighting Designer, she developed a discerning eye for the interplay of form, space, and human experience. Driven by an insatiable thirst for a more tactile and immersive creative process, Kang embarked on a profound artistic odyssey, culminating in pursuing a Masterâs in Glass Art. Specializing in the unconventional medium of âbottle glass,â she pushed the boundaries of her craft, earning recognition as a finalist for the esteemed Stanislav Libensky Award.