Tell us about yourself.
Jen Hand is a visual artist, writer, curator, mother and veteran who lives and creates in Norfolk. She has a degree in Craft and Material Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University and is an alumni of the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio Assistantship. She was awarded a 2019 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Fellowship, among other awards and scholarships. Her work employs the captivating properties of glass to playfully probe our cultural notions of feminine strength. She pushes the limits of her medium through a practice of rigorous research and dedicated making.
What draws you to the material you work with?
Fire and the cathartic, performative physical intensity of the hot shop dance.
What themes do you pursue in your work?
I use the color pink to examine cultural constructs of femininity, motherhood, and female sexuality.
What is your dream project?
My dream project is to build an interactive, immersive glass and light-centric installation that will debut at Burning Man and then travel widely to give people the opportunity to experience the transformative power of art to instigate vulnerability and intimacy.
Why are you a member of GAS?
I’m drawn to the camaraderie and collaborative potential of our wild glassy family – creative, passionate people working together to make the world a better (and sparklier) place!