ARTIST STATEMENT - MARKUS EMILSSON
I think of craft as an alternative language, one with the power to both affirm and question who we are and the world we inhabit. I value the object’s role as a vessel for memory and I am intrigued by the potential of craft as a practice to empower us to try different thoughts, positions and actions.
In my practice, I explore different ways of engaging with material culture, focusing primarily on glass. I approach glass as a material for both social and aesthetic investigation, a medium with potential for interpersonal connection. I am drawn to the dynamic relationship between the object and the observer, and how meaning is created in that exchange.As a “Craftist,” I seek to challenge both myself and the audience through the exploration of glass as a dialogical, social medium. My work extends beyond traditional object-based exhibitions to include performative and participatory forms such as craft-based performances and workshops.
My knowledge of glassblowing began in Småland, Sweden, a region with a rich historical connection to glassmaking. This heritage continues to shape my approach, influencing both technique and expression. My sculptural work often evolves through the repetition and combination of simple forms into cohesive structures. I investigate the interplay between volume and restraint, energy and stillness, considering how these opposing forces manifest through material expression. The tactile surface, varying transparency, and shifting light are integral to my visual vocabulary and continue to shape the character of my work.