Laura Donefer, Urchin Bonnechance Basket, 2009. Blown glass. H 10, D 10 in. photo: steven wiid
On May 1st, Laura Donefer, the American-born Canadian glass artist, received a telephone call from Jutta Annette-Page, curator of glass and decorative arts at the Toledo Museum of Art, informing her that she’d been chosen for the museum’s Guest Artist Pavilion Project (GAPP), now in its fourth year.
“I thought Jutta was playing a joke on me,” Donefer told the Hot Sheet in a telephone interview. “Once she finally convinced me that she was serious, I was speechless — even though I’m not often speechless.”
Donefer is indeed rarely at a loss for words. That is more often the state of audiences at her now-legendary, often-risque wearable-glass fashion shows she has been staging since 1989, most recently at the Corning Museum of Glass on June 13, 2009.
As vivid and vital as the artist’s personality is her work, which often bursts upwards and outwards, as in Urchin Bonnechance Basket (2009) which erupts into a vivid bouquet not unlike the red ringlets of the artist’s hair. The handles of Donefer’s vases sprout like elegant coral reefs speckled in chaotic colors. From sunset orange and fire-truck red to hues of purple and aqua blue, stacks of stone-like and stretched-out beads interlace and tightly pack themselves together, like an other-worldly sea anemone in works such as La Vida Loca (2007).
Running a full seven days, the GAPP residency offers access to the museum’s state-of-the-art glass studio as well as the chance to interact with and respond to the museum’s collection. GAPP is designed to encourage artistic experimentation with glass as well as offer inspiration from the museum’s existing collection as a visiting artist works onsite, delivers a lecture, and demos their work. Donefer follows Fritz Dreisbach, Radcliffe Bailey, and Dan Dailey.
Laura Donefer, Yellow Heart Bonnechance Basket, 2009. Blown glass. H 18, D 18 in. photo: steven wiid
“The GAPP program is made possible by a generous donor to the Museum who believes strongly in public education and allowing these established artists the freedom and resources to explore their work in new ways without any pressure or restrictions,” said Jutta-Annette Page. Donefer’s visit is scheduled to begin May 14th and run through the 22nd, with a return trip planned for the fall.
With her next fashion show coming up on May 29th in Montreal during the Glass Art Association of Canada (GACC) conference, other projects to work on, classes to teach, as well as family obligations, Donefer has to plan her time carefully. She has already visited the museum in preparation for her residency, getting a behind-the-scenes sneak peak at the museum’s collection.
“We let Laura loose,” Annette-Page recalled. “She was ecstatic. We sometimes forget how wonderful it is to have a pair of fresh eyes around.”
Describing her experience in working with the museum thus far as “fabulous,” “fantastic,” and “a wealth of other superlatives,” Donefer said that she also felt privileged to be given such a close, detailed look at the museum’s artwork.
Laura Donefer. photo: lauradonefer.com
“I saw a Renaissance painting while I was there, and the colors were so stunning that I could barely breathe,” Donefer explained. “I already have in mind something I’m going to do. I’m taking this extremely seriously, because it’s something that has to be taken seriously.”
“Laura had been on our original wish list from the very beginning,” Jutta told the Hot Sheet. “She is an engaging artist, someone who responds very beautifully to materiality. When she comes back, we know that we’re in for a surprise, and are already very much looking forward to it.”
—Paul Travisano