Tuva Gonsholt: Breathing fresh life into the ancient craft of glassblowing

With 27 years of experience, glass artist Tuva Gonsholt’s work has been exhibited around the world. Working mainly with freehand-blown glass objects, the award-winning artist creates unique, distinctive pieces featuring playful colours and contrasts.

The ancient art of glassblowing is over 2,000 years old – and for contemporary artists like Gonsholt, keeping the craft alive and relevant is important. “I’m focused on preserving the craft tradition and continuing to gain knowledge and skills about this unique medium,” she says.

Creature #green.

Glassblowing requires a high level of craftsmanship, and it can take years to master the techniques and specialised equipment needed. “After many years in the glass trade, I’m still just as curious about my material, its properties and the challenges it presents me with,” Gonsholt says.

“I want to explore processes that result in in-depth knowledge and free art expression. It’s a constant search for new shapes and technical challenges in the inherent qualities of the glass, from liquid to solid form.”

From her cold workshop at Spriten Kunsthall in Skien, Tuva Gonsholt creates stunning hand-blown glass objects. Pictured: “ZikZak”

Creating shapes that are simultaneously expressive, dynamic, soft and elegant, Gonsholt has a clear signature, with a distinctive design language and a common thread uniting her work. “Insects and other strange creatures inspire my work. I transform the decorations, shapes or colours of a specimen into something of my own artistic expression,” she says.

Gonsholt’s artwork is represented in private and public collections in Norway and internationally, and she has worked with several public art displays. In 2022, her work will be displayed at group exhibitions in Washington and Barcelona.

“Creatures #jade”

Web: www.tuvagonsholt.no
Instagram: @tuvagonsholt