Amanda Lorentzon
At The Ode To we are always curious to learn more about creativity and artistry, so we asked Amanda Lorentzon to tell us a little bit about her life, her art and her sources of inspiration.
What do you call your series of artworks?
– ´Through the Looking Glass´. The collection is a homage to Lewis Carroll’s tales of young Alice and her mischievous adventures in Wonderland.
What technique have you used?
– Step one was to acquire the help of an amazing glass artist to help materialize the vision stuck in my head. Step two was to actually start the process of creating said vision. We did this through the method of free-blowing, where the art piece base and size were created. After, we sprinkled the glass with different mixtures of ash and soot to create texture. Followed by the actual shaping, in which I started to experiment by pushing, pulling, and poking at the warm glass with different tools to find its identity. Once the glass has cooled down and been cut and polished, it was time for the silver-plating of the glass, which creates the mirroring effect. What sets this collection aside from many others is that the aim was to create imperfection. So, to enhance the whimsical and quirky character of each piece, we decided to silver-plate both the inner and outer sides, finding that the chemical reaction between the silver and the ash and soot created an additional darkness adding further dimension to the pieces.
What inspired you to create the artworks you have made for The Ode To?
– The beauty of Lewis Carroll's Wonderland is that it's a world where nothing is quite what it seems and everything has been turned on its end. This collection's a combination of function/non-function meets décor, and light twists together with darkness to create something unexpected. Because everything isn’t always as it seems and, why would a looking glass simply be just a looking glass when it could be so much more?
Can you tell us about your background and how you came to be an artist?
– My background and degrees are in sustainable design; however, I see myself very much as a transdisciplinary designer and artist. Meaning I don't like limiting myself to one field or method of working. Instead, I let my curiosity steer me where I need to go, and I like to mix and combine different methods and theories to provoke conversations. If there's something I don't know how to do or don't fully understand I make it my mission to rectify that which has resulted in many unexpected projects.
How would you describe your art and aesthetics in three words?
– Questioning, experimental, and quirky.
What we love about AMANDA LORENTZON:
Amanda's technique of free-blowing, infused with ash and soot, creates reflective glass sculptures that challenge norms. The imperfection intentionally woven into each piece enhances their quirky character, inviting viewers to question reality through experimental aesthetics.
