Marta Ģibiete

Rising to the challenge of glass

• Marta adores the process, excitement and challenge of creation
• She is highly skilled in glass fusing
• She loves to make sculptures using her own technique called 'bubak'

Marta Ģibiete comes from a family where creative handmade work is a tradition. Her grandmother taught her to respect this work, to do it with passion, and to enjoy the satisfaction of finishing something; her mother taught her not to be afraid to think outside of the box; while her father showed her how to think constructively. Marta studied glassmaking at the Art Academy of Latvia, and later improved her skills by meeting experienced glass artists abroad. She loves glass because of its colours, the play of light and shadow, and its challenging, difficult character. She enjoys experimenting with various possibilities and techniques, and often works with other glass artists who have different styles and skills.

Interview

©Caterina Zucchi

©Pietro Lucerni Photography

Can you tell us about your own unique technique?

It’s called bubak. I discovered it more than 20 years ago while searching for different ways of making sculptural glass forms without using glassblowing. I make my glass sculptures with easy and simple techniques but the final result is always an unexpected surprise.

How would you define what you do?

I feel confused about the term 'artisanal handicraft'. In reality, my objects, which are handmade from glass, are not actually usable; they don’t resolve any practical problem. It’s not a classic or a modern craft, and not really design either. This presents a question for all 'material art' artists.

How do Latvian traditions inform your art?

My roots lie in Latvian cultural heritage. In Latvia we have stained glass traditions. Fused glass is a relatively new technique worldwide. It developed in the US thanks to the Studio Glass community in the 1960s. In Latvia, glass fusing became popular at the end of 1990s.

What advice would you give to budding young glass artists?

Glass is a special material which requires attention, joy and perseverance. You have to love it. You have to be mad for glass. It's always possible to make mistakes, especially when experimenting, but don’t be afraid – mistakes are just new possibilities.

Marta Ģibiete is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1995

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