Karen Woodward

My work is an upbeat, colorful celebration of life. With hot sculpted glass and mixed media collage, I create lively portraits that explore the absurdity of life and the multiplicity of our being. Comical, gem-like glass characters, as well as mixed media portraits on panel comprise the majority of my current work. With glass, I create unique portraits that exhibit a wide range of personality, expression, and attitude. While some sculptures appear cheerful and ridiculous, others appear slightly grumpy, bad-tempered or even introspective. When these sculptures are displayed as an installation, they create new narratives as the characters relate to one another. With mixed media collage, I create vibrant, imaginative portraits with both light and glass. Color changing LEDs illuminate each piece from within to create an exciting, visual experience. This internal light source also suggests the notion of thought, mood, or state of being. Above all, I believe that art does not need to appear serious to be meaningful.

BA in Art History, The University of Texas at Austin
MFA in Sculpture, Washington University in St. Louis
Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, WA
The Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass

Selected Recent Exhibitions and Fairs:

2019
The Other Art Fair, Dallas, TX

2018
CraftTexas Biennial, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston TX
SPACELAB, National Liberty Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Spin it Your Way, McNay Art Museum, San Antonio, TX
Narrative Offerings, Gallery Verde at San Angelo Museum of Fine Art

2017
The Art of Plasma, Museum of Neon Art, Glendale, CA
New Glass Review 38, Corning Museum of Glass, NY
Saint Louis Art Fair, St. Louis, MO
Work, Play, and Somewhere In Between, Dougherty Arts Center, Austin, TX (solo)

2016
Glass National 2016, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton Virginia
Make Believe, MASS Gallery Austin, TX
2016 Mental States, Art for the People Gallery, Austin, TX (solo)

2015
FIRED, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Arvada, CO
The New Glass Review 36, Corning Museum of Glass, NY
Minutiae, Museum of Human Achievement, Austin, TX

2014
SOFA EXPO Chicago, PISMO Gallery
Movement, Museum of Human Achievement, Austin, TX