Julius Weiland, Cluster I, 2010. Fused glass tubes. H 31 1/2, W 15 3/4, D 8 in. photo: wolfgang selbach
Five German and British artists were honored by the Jutta Cuny-Franz Memorial Foundation for their accomplishments in glass art, which gives out eight awards semiannually to artists under 40 making significant use of glass in their work. The jury chose from a strong field of 24o artists from 44 countries, selecting Julius Weiland for the prestigious Jutta Cuny-Franz Memorial Award. The other honorees this year include Shige Fujishiro and Tara Woudenberg, who each received a Talent Award and 1,500€ (roughly $2,200). Honorary Diplomas went to Lisa Anne Bate, Pernille Braun, Andrea Flemming, Anne Petters, and Phil Vickery.
Lisa Anne Bate, Genera Nucleation 2, 2010. Cast glass, copper, pewter, guitar string, leds. H 25, W 3, D 6 1/4 in. courtesy: the artist
Weiland, represented by Gallery Litvak, is one of five Germans to win the prize since its inauguration in 1987 (Americans C. Matthew Szösz and Karen LaMonte won in 2009 and 2007, respectively). In the history of the awards, no British artist has won the top prize, which includes a 10,000€ award (roughly $14,600). Currently based in Berlin, Weiland works primarily with industrial glass tubing that he cuts and fuses for his sculptures. Full of movement and often evocative of natural elements such as ocean life and clouds, his pieces have quickly earned him international recognition in the glass art world.
Phil Vickery, Anxious Dreams, 2009. Mold, blown glass, granite. H 12, W 18, D 6 1/4 in. courtesy: the artist
Awards are given by the Jutta Cuny-Franz Foundation to help artists under 40 using a significant amount of glass in their work. The foundation and awards were founded by Dr. Ruth Maria Franz to honor her daughter Jutta, a glass sculptor who died in a fatal accident in 1983. Since its inception, the foundation has honored numerous artists, including Nicole Chesney, Marta Gibiete, Marta Klonowska, Anna Viktoria Norberg, and Gaea Todd.
—Grace Duggan