2017 Rakow Commission: Dr. Karlyn Sutherland

Dr. Sutherland won the prestigious Rakow prize from the Corning Museum of Glass. This commission is awarded annually to emerging artists in glass.

Karlyn gave a great artist talk before the official unveiling of her new work. She outlined her background in architecture and how she blends this interest with memories of place into her work. Her artist statement reads, in part:

“Glass is an evocative material, able to readily convey atmosphere, emotion and narrative; it has the ability to reveal memories, generate associations and encourage the imagination in other mediums often cannot. My work in glass is both autobiographical in nature and an extension of the sensibilities and skills I have honed as an architectural designer; it is a reaction to vivid memories and intangible qualities of significant moments and places, with each piece distilling and communicating the essence of an experience of light, shadow and atmosphere. The haptic, hands-on act of making is contemplative – a tool which allows me to explore, strengthen and learn from my own relationship with and understanding of place.”

Congratulations, Karlyn!