Introduction
164 artists from 28 countries participated in this year’s competition for the Jutta Cuny-Franz Memorial Award. For the first time, we directly contacted art academies in various countries and hope to steadily attract young talents, especially in the field of sculpture, and to encourage them to experiment and work with glass. To attract attention of promising candidates for the prize is the biggest challenge, but once the applications arrive, it is wonderful to see the world of glass thriving and alive, technical skills of highest standards, and, above all, imagination at work in the best sense.
 
The jury of this year’s award was made up of Professor Christoph Brockhaus, Professor Anthony Cragg, Dr. Helmut Ricke, Ms. Nadja Zieren and myself.
Two members of the advisory board, Professor Hermann Fillitz and Ms. Elisabeth Scheuba had been excused.
The jury unanimously agreed on awarding two honorary diplomas, two talent awards and the Jutta Cuny Memorial Award.
 
Honorary Diplomas
One of the honorary diplomas goes to Marie-Anne Baccichet, who studied art in Toulouse, Nîmes, and Strasbourg. She convinced the jury with her conceptual work that deals with the inflation and deflation of forms. While some of us might have thought of (and perhaps even wished for) mirror disco balls to go out of fashion at some point, it has been unthinkable until now that such a ball itself would age, and loose its shape. Baccichet has made a disco ball loose its perennial, stubborn youth, and thus makes me look at these items with renewed sympathy.
Jeffrey Sarmiento, who also received a honorary diploma, applies a different concept to his works, deeply rooted in his biography. Born in Chicago, with ancestors from the Philippines, and living in Newcastle upon Tyne, Great Britain, he experienced human cultures and mentalities from different perspectives.
As he states himself, he pursues »an exploration of culture from the perspective of a perpetual foreigner«. His works of art consist of intricate layers of glass not just for the sake of beauty, but to explore means of portraiture and thus of ethnicity.
 
Talent Awards
Two talent awards, each endowed with a prize-money of EUR 1,500, were granted to Eunsuh Choi and Maria Koshenkova.
Eunsuh Choi from Korea lives in Rochester, New York. She started her education with a focus on glass already in Korea, and is now a gifted lamp working artist. Historically, lamp working goes back to the making of small figurines, of some laboratory glassware, of eye replacements for victims primarily of wars, and of Christmas decorations. In the past decades, this craft dramatically evolved to produce serious large-sized sculpture. The technical process, however, has not changed much, in that small bits of glass are softened in the flame in order to fuse with each other or to be shaped otherwise. Choi is a particularly meticulous artist, whose methodical approach produces monumental works of high precision.
Maria Koshenkova from Russia lives in Denmark, and applies techniques of classical studio glassblowing to her works of art. Her skills allow her to produce shapes and a decoration that evoke the disturbing idea and likeness of human organs, freshly cut from a body, and readily presented on plates.
However, her work is far from aiming for a superficial sense of horror. Rather, by subtle variations of the colour scheme, her works tell us about emotions that literally come from the heart; this other, poetical side of our vital blood pump.
 
Jutta Cuny-Franz Memorial Award
The Jutta Cuny-Franz Memorial Award 2013 was awarded to the Romanian artist Alexandra Muresan. She was a surprise candidate, as she has participated in the competition for the first time.
Muresan holds a degree in philosophy and is currently completing her art studies at the Department for Ceramics, Glass, and Metal of the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Her entries deal with the idea of »everything flows« that goes back to the early Greek philosopher Heraclitus. What better material than glass to contemplate the meaning of this early concept of nature. Muresan’s work convinced the jury for its eminent sculptural qualities. This is art at its best, where the specific properties of the material, the concept, the formal discipline and the inventiveness of the artist form a natural and inseparable union.
This work, and the prize that the artist received for it, form the beginning of what seems a promising artistic development. This I am very much looking forward to follow, and I am hoping for a further development of the art and design school at Cluj. Naturally, the numbers of prize winners are limited. In the following pages, a choice of further entries from this year’s competition will capture your attention.
Biographical notes have deliberately been kept very short. Most artists have a website that allows for easy access to any required details. Within this publication, the biographies merely serve as introductions, which hopefully will trigger further curiosity. If not stated otherwise, all images are courtesy of the artists.

SELECTED ENTRIES
Jeff Ballard
Born 1977 in the USA
Lives and works in Eugene OR, USA
Education: 2000 B.F.A., University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana IL, USA; 2003 Pittsburgh Glass Center, Pittsburgh PA, USA; 2004 Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle ME, USA; 2005 Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood WA, USA; 2008 Eugene Glass School, EugeneOR, USA.
Work experience: Since 2000 production manager, teaching assistant, and instructor in several glass programs in the USA; 2008 co-founder, Eyeful Gallery, Portland OR, USA; 2010 and 2011 instructor, The Glass Furnace, Istanbul, Turkey; 2012 instructor, Berlin Glas e.V., Berlin, Germany.
Solo exhibitions: 2010 Glass company, Nuutajärvi, Finland; 2012 Berlin Glas e.V., Berlin, Germany.
www.JeffBallardGlass.com
 
Michael Behrens
Born 1973 in Germany
Lives and works in Düsseldorf, Germany
Education: 1999–2003 University of Fine Arts, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Work Experience: Since 2004 instructor at numerous workshops in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, The Netherlands, USA; 2004 and 2007 PUM representative expert, Kiln-Casting-Workshop, Ethiopian Reflections, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia; 2009 kiln-casting workshop, Arte vetro, Damascus, Syria; since 2007 own workshop in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Solo Exhibitions: 2008 Glasmuseum Alter Hof Herding, Coesfeld, Germany; Hélène Porée Gallery, Paris, France; 2009 Gallery Welti, Düsseldorf, Germany; 2010 De Glorie Gallery, Oosterbeek, The Netherlands; Van Loon & Simons, Vught, The Netherlands; 2012 Continuum Gallery, Königswinter, Germany; CCAA Gallery, Cologne, Germany.
www.michael-behrens.eu
 
Stine Bidstrup
Born 1982 in Denmark
Lives and Works in Copenhagen, Denmark
Education: 2001–2004 The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Art, School of Design, Bornholm, Denmark; 2004 Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood WA, USA; 2004–2006 post-baccalaureate, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence RI, USA.
Work experience: Since 2005 lecturer, various art schools in Denmark, Norway, UK, and USA; 2009–2013 full-time faculty, The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Design, Bornholm, Denmark.
Solo exhibitions: 2008 Tesch & Hallberg, Copenhagen,Denmark; Agallery, Copenhagen, Denmark; 2010 Gallery Jytte Møller, Fredericia, Denmark; 2011 Glasmuseum Ebeltoft, Denmark; 2012 Hempel Glass Museum, Nykøbing Sj., Denmark.
www.stinebidstrup.dk
 
Mathilde Caylou
Born 1985 in France
Lives and works in Strasbourg, France
Education: 2004–2010 Ecole Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, Strasbourg, France; 2009 Fachhochschule Koblenz, Höhr-Grenzhausen, Germany.
Work experience: 2008–2011 workshops and assistancies in Strasbourg, Murano, Ebeltoft, and Sars Poteries.
Group exhibitions: 2010 Stanislav Libenský Award, Prazska Gallerie, Prague; 2007–2012 exhibitions in Strasbourg, Munich, Prague, Zwiesel, Mulhouse, and
Stuttgart.
www.mathildecaylou.com
 
Ming-Fan Cheng
Born 1983 in Taiwan
Lives and works in Hsinchu City, Taiwan
Education: 2011 metalsmithing and jewelry, Graduate Institute of Applied Art, Tainan National University of the Arts, Tainan City, Taiwan.
Work Experience: 2013 teacher, World Senior High School, Hsinchu City, Taiwan; instructor, Department of Fashion Imaging, Ming Dao University, Chang Hua City, Taiwan; art director, Ching Hsiang Arts Co., Ltd.
Exhibitions: 2012 Hsinchu City International Glass Art Festival.
www.flickr.com/photos/cheng_ming-fan
 
Amber Cowan
Born 1981 in USA
Lives and works in Philadelphia PA, USA
Education: 2003 Temple University, Rome, Italy campus; 2004 BFA, Three-Dimensional Design, Hot Glass, Salisbury University, Salisbury MD, USA; 2011 MFA, Glass/Ceramics, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia PA, USA.
Work experience: 2007–2012 various teaching assistancies in New York City and Corning NY, USA; 2010 and 2012 Adjunct Professor, 2011 Instructor, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia.
Solo exhibition: 2011 MFA Thesis exhibition, Temple
Gallery, Tyler School of Art; 2013 Heller Gallery, New York NY, USA.
www.ambercowan.com
 
Irena Czepcová
Born 1986 in Czech Republic
Lives and works in Jablunkov, Czech Republic
Education: 2001–2006 Secondary Glass School, Valasské Mezirící, Czech Republic, since 2005 specialized on glass cutting; 2006–2013 glass studio, Art and Design Faculty, Jan Evangelista Purkyn? University, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic.
Work experience: Residencies 2008, Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Art, Krakow, Poland; 2011 Sculpture Studio, University of Pécs, Hungary; 2012 Jeffrey Sarmiento Studio, University of Sunderland, UK.
Group Exhibitions: 2004–2012 in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and at the Biennale du Verre, Strasbourg, France.
www.irczepcova.blogspot.com
 
Erin Elizabeth Dickson
Born 1987 in Great Britain
Lives and works in South Shields, UK
Education: 2009 RIBA Part I, Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, UK; 2010 MA, University of Sunderland, UK.
Work experience: Since 2010 waterjet technician, University of Sunderland, UK.
Group exhibitions: 2010–2012 in England and 2011 at the Korean Craft Biennale.
www.erindickson.co.uk
 
Simone Fezer
Born 1976 in Germany
Lives and works in Villingen, Germany
Education: 1996–2006 various craft courses and art schools, sculpture, drawing/printing, painting, glass, USA, Germany and Murano, Italy.
Work experience: Since 1999 freelance artist; 1998– 2006 studio coordinator and assistant, Bild-Werk Frauenau, Germany; 2005 glass teacher, Instituut voor Kunst en Ambacht (IKA), Mechelen, Belgium; 2012 teacher, pâte-de-verre and kiln casting, Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Stuttgart, Germany.
Solo Exhibitions: 2002 Galerie muellerhoffmann, Stuttgart, Germany; 2005 Museum am Widumhof, Urbach, Germany.
www.fezers.de
 
Shige Fujishiro
Born 1976 in Japan
Lives and works in Hannover, Germany
Education: 1996–2005 BA, MA, doctoral thesis, Department of Fine Arts and Art Theory, Hiroshima City University, Japan; 2000 fine arts, Fachhochschule
Hannover, Germany.
Solo Exhibitions: 2000 Formative Space Laboratory, Hiroshima; 2002 Daiwa Radiator Factory, Hiroshima; 2009 Flaxus, Hiroshima; 2012 Galerie im RWE Tower, Dortmund, Germany; 2013 Eisfabrik, Hannover, Germany
www.shige-fujishiro.blogspot.de
 
György Gáspár
Born 1976 in Hungary
Lives and works in Budapest, Hungary
Education: 1998–2003 Hungarian University of Crafts & Design, Budapest, Hungary; 2002 Erasmus Scholarship, Designskolen Kolding, Denmark.
Work experience: 2006–2012 teacher (2010 head of glass department), Moholy-Nagy University of Arts and Design, Budapest, Hungary; 2012 free geometry course, Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood WA, USA.
Solo exhibitions: 2006 Glass Pyramid Gallery, Budapest; 2008 Rododendron Gallery, Budapest; 2009 Nadania Idriss New Glass Art & Photography Gallery, Berlin, Germany; Cella Septichora World Heritage, Pécs, Hungary; 2011 Fise Gallery, Budapest; 2012 Nadania Idriss Contemporary, Berlin.
www.gyorgygaspar.eu
 
Snjezana Idrizovi?
Born 1987 in Bosnia-Herzegowina
Lives and works in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegowina
Education: 2002–2006 Highschool for Applied Arts, Sarajevo, Bosnia; 2010 BA, Academy of Fine Arts, Sarajevo; since 2010 MA, sculpture, Academy of Fine Arts, Sarajevo. Work experience: 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010 assistance, »Sarajevo Winter« Festival, Sarajevo; 2012 president, Union of Visual Artists of Bosnia and Herzegowina (ULUBiH); assistance, Summer School for Children and Youths, Po?itelj, Bosnia
Solo Exhibition: 2012 Coffee Gallery Zvono, Bosnia.
Snejezana_idrizovic@hotmail.com
 
Marzena Krzeminska-Baluch
Born 1980 in Poland
Education: 1995–2000 National School of Fine Arts, Wroclaw, Poland; 2001–2006 Academy of Fine Arts an Design, Wroc?aw; 2013 Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood
WA, USA.
Work experience: 2007 Designer, Villa Glass Studio, Krosno, Poland; since 2009 assistant, Department of Glass, Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Wroclaw; 2012 teaching assistant, Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood WA, USA.
Solo exhibitions: 2007 and 2008 Gallery BB, Wroclaw, Poland; 2011 European Commision, Madou Building, Brussels, Belgium.
www.marzenakrzeminska.com
 
Ulrike Möschel
Born 1972 in Germany
Lives and works in Düsseldorf, Germany
Education: 1994–1998 Academy of Arts, Münster, Germany; 1998–2001 Academy of Arts, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Solo exhibitions (selection): 2002 and 2006 projects in public spaces, Düsseldorf, Germany; 2005, 2007, 2009 Galerie Rupert Pfab, Düsseldorf; 2008 Kunstverein Bochum, Germany; 2011 Kunstverein Wuppertal, Germany; Kjubh, Cologne, Germany; 2013 Projektraum Honigbrot, Cologne, Germany.
www.ulrike-moeschel.weebly.com
 
Karin Mørch
Born 1977 in Denmark
Lives and works in Copenhagen
Education: 1999–2002 School of Glass and Ceramics,
Bornholm, Denmark.
Work experience: 1998 assistancies, Skagen and Møn, Denmark; 2001 assistant, Colin Reid Studio, Great Britain; 2004–2009 initiator, workshop Celsiusglass, Copenhagen, Denmark; 2006–2009 Jørgensen-Mørch Glass Studio, Copenhagen.
www.karinmorch.dk
 
Tets Ohnari
Born 1980 in Japan
Lives and works in Prague, Czech Republic
Education: 2005–2007 Academy of Fine Arts (AVU), Prague, Czech Republic; Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design (AAAD), Prague; 2008 MA, Tokyo University of the Arts (TUA), Tokyo, Japan.
Solo Exhibitions: 2007 Galerie Josefa Adamce, Prague; The City Museum, Horice, Czech Republic; 2008 Clement Salon Gallery, Tokyo, Japan; 2009 atelier.35, Bucharest, Romania; 2010 Czech Centre, Tokyo, Japan; Shounan Kujirakan Gallery, Hujisawa, Japan; 2011 H’art gallery, Bucharest, Romania; 2012 B-Gallery, Tokyo.
www.tetsohnari.com
 
Jing Wei Qiu
Born 1984 in China
Lives and works in Livermore CA, USA
Education: 2009 BA, Academy of Guangzhou Fine Art School, Guangzhou, China; 2011 Academy of Fine Art, Shanghai University, China.
Solo exhibitions: 2012 Titus Gallery, Carmel CA, USA; 2013 Bay Area Glass Institute, San Jose CA, USA.
www.jingweiqiu.com
 
Hannah Rath
Born 1983 in Germany
Lives and works in Hamburg, Germany
Education: 2003–2010 Hochschule für Bildende Künste, Hamburg, Germany; 2005–2006 Hochschule für Graphik und Buchkunst, Leipzig, Germany.
Solo Exhibitions: 2004 Hamburg, Germany; 2007 and 2008 Galerie Pitrowski, Berlin, Germany; 2011 Galerie Mini Super, Hamburg; 2011 Galerie Katherina Bittel, Hamburg.
www.hannah-rath.com
 
Alexander Rosenberg
Born 1981 in USA
Lives and works in Philadelphia PA, USA
Education: 2004 and 2008 Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle ME, USA; 2005 The Studio, The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning NY, USA; 2006 BFA, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence RI, USA; 2009 Master of Science in Visual Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge MA, USA.
Work experience: Since 2010 glass coordinator, Craft Department, University of the Arts, Philadelphia PA, USA; 2010 founding member, Hyperopia Projects.
Solo exhibitions: 2006 Madison Public Library, Madison NJ, USA; 2011 Gallery 46, Vernon CT, USA.
www.alexanderrosenberg.net
 
Jade Tang
Born 1990 in France
Lives and works in Strasbourg, France
Education: 2011 DNAP (Visual Arts National Diploma) and 2013 DNSEP (Visual Arts Advanced Diploma), École Supérieure des Art Décoratifs, Strasbourg, France.
Work experience: 2004–2013 internships and workshops in Chalon-sur-Saône, CIAV Meisenthal, and CIAV gallery, Strasbourg, France; design for publishing company Édition Raison et Passions, Dijon, France; 2013 internet platform project www.whoseshirtsyouwear.org. Group exhibitions: 2010–2012 in Kaysesberg, Sélestat
and Strasbourg, France, Seoul, Korea, and Zwiesel, Germany.
www.jadetang.fr
 
Zak Timan
Born 1985 in USA
Lives and works in Berkeley CA, USA
Education: 2009 BFA, California College of the Arts, Oakland CA, USA.
Work experience: 2013 residency, Berengo Studios, Venice, Italy. Solo Exhibition: 2009 CCA South Gallery, Oakland CA. Various group exhibitions in California, 2012 in Chicago IL, USA, and 2013 in »Glassstress« at the
Biennale, Venice, Italy.
www.zaktiman.com
 
Iris-Anastasia Touliatou
Born 1981 in Greece
Lives and works in Paris and Berlin
Education: 1998–2001 University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, Greece; 2001–2006 BA, School of Fine Arts, Athens; 2005–2008 DNSAP (national advanced diploma for sculpture), École National Supérieure des Beaux Arts, Paris, France.
Solo Exhibitions: 2008 K44, Athens, Greece; 2010 Palais de Tokyo, Paris, France; 2011 REMAP KM, Athens; 2011 and 2012 Galerie Duve, Berlin, Germany; 2012 Galerie für zeitgenössische Kunst, Leipzig, Germany; 2013 National Theatre, Athens.
www.iristouliatou.com
 
Kristiina Uslar
Born 1973 in Estonia
Lives and works in Tallinn, Estonia
Education: 1998–2003 BA, glass, Estonian Academy of Arts, Tallinn, Estonia; 2005–2007 MA, Estonian Academy of Arts, Tallinn.
Work experience: 2003 technician and since 2004 lecturer, Department of Glass, Estonian Academy of Arts, Tallinn, Estonia.
Solo exhibitions: 2004 Pärnu Concert House, Pärnu, Estonia; 2005 Gallery Bella Casa, Saint Petersburg, Russia. 2008–2012 various group exhibitions in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Japan, Latvia, Russia, UK, and USA.
www.kristiinauslar.com
 
Phil Vickery
Born 1979 in Great Britain
Lives and works in Sunderland, England
Education: 1997–1998 art and design, University of Portsmouth, England; 1998–2001 glass design and photography, University of Wolverhampton, England; 2001–2002 small business studies, Dudley College, West Midlands, England, and professional development, The International Glass Centre, Brierly Hill, England; 2005–2006 glass, University of Sunderland, England.
Work experience: 2001–2009 assistance, glass blowing demonstrations and artist residencies at various glass studios and Universities in Great Britain and USA; 2007–2008 artist in residence, Sunderland University, England; 2008 scholarship, Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood WA, USA; 2010 co-founder and managing director, charity studio Creative Cohesion, Sunderland, England.
Exhbitions: Since 2001 various gallery exhibitions in the UK, Czech Republic, India, Netherlands, Spain, United Arab Emirates, USA.
www.philvickeryglass.co.uk
 
Claudia Virginia Vitari
Born 1978 in Italy
Lives and works in Torino, Barcelona, and Berlin.
Education: 1997–1999 painting, Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti, Torino, Italy; 1999–2004: Fine Arts Diploma, Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule, Halle a.d. Saale, Germany.
Work experience: 2007–2008 workshops, Lorusso and Cutugno Penitentiary, Torino, Italy; 2008–2009 workshops, Radio Nikosia, Barcelona, Spain.
Solo Exhibitions: 2004 Villa Engelmann, Halle a.d. Saale, Germany; 2008 Lorusso e Cutugno Penitentiary, Torino; 2009 Panopticon, Le Nuove Museum, Torino; 2012 Gallerie Karlshorst, Berlin, Germany; Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Torino, Italy; 2013 Arts Santa Monica, Barcelona, Spain; Raffaella de Chirico Arte Contemporanea, Torino, Italy.
www.claudiavitari.com
 
Ben Wright
Born 1975 in USA
Works and lives in Brooklyn NY, USA
Education: 1994–1998 B.S., Environmental and Evolutionay Biology, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH, USA; 2000–2003 B.F.A., craft, art history, biology, Appalachian Center for Craft, Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville TN, USA; 2007–2009 MFA, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence RI, USA.
Work experience: Since 1998 freelance artist. 2001– 2012 instructor at various glass courses in USA, Germany, and Turkey; 2004–2012 various residencies, USA, Norway, and Denmark; 2009–2012 senior lecturer, Glass Department, University of the Arts, Philadelphia PA, USA.
Solo Shows: 2003 B.F.A. Show, Gallery One, Smithville TN, USA; 2006 The Water Tower Art Museum, Louisville KY, USA; 2009 Machines with Magnets Gallery, Pawtucket RI, USA; 2010 Flux Space, Philadelphia PA, USA.
Bwright01@g.risd.edu
 
Tara Marisa Woudenberg
Born 1978 in The Netherlands
Currently works and lives in the mountains of Spain
Education: 1997–2001 Academy for Art and Design, ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands; 2009–2011 MA, glass art and science, Research Unit Glass and Ceramic for the Arts (VICARTE), New University of Lisbon, Monte de Caparica, Portugal; 2011–2012 workshop, Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood WA, USA.
Work experience: 1999–2006 assistant, De Oude Horn, Acquoy, The Netherlands; 1999–2010 assistance and master classes in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Guadeloupe, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Sweden, Great Britain, USA; 2011 Summerworkshop, Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood WA, USA.
Exhibitions: 2009 International Glass Art Exhibition, Leerdam, The Netherlands; 2012 National Glass Museum, Leerdam, The Netherlands, and Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma WA, USA; 2013 Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague, Czech Republic.
taragaatweg@gmail.com