She is a talented fused glass artist who lives and works in Ottawa. Miriam Silburt specializes in landscapes, various functional objects, and sculptural works. More about her art and journey to success is detailed by Ottawa Ski.
Early Work with Stained Glass
Miriam first began working with stained glass in 1995. Initially, she focused on decorative and architectural artwork under the guidance of Donna Edmonson.
By 2007, she became fascinated with the possibilities and variations offered by fused glass. Over time, this process completely captivated her. Through continuous and dedicated effort, she eventually opened a large studio equipped with five kilns.
The artist started with small items, particularly jewelry, which she continues to enjoy creating. As her kiln capacity increased, so did the number of commissions. Miriam began exploring new techniques, each distinguished by its unique characteristics. These include vitrigraphy, powder painting on dishes, large bowls, and sculptural pieces.
Capturing Beauty
Miriam Silburt captures the beauty she sees around her. This is evident in both her abstract and representational works. Her art might depict a forest interior or a microscopic view of cellular life.
Fascinated by the possibilities, she draws inspiration from colors and shapes, bringing them to life through glass. She particularly loves working with this material due to its versatility and countless mysteries that continue to unfold. As an artist, Miriam follows a well-developed creative process:
- She begins with the convergence of glass-making techniques combined with an idea.
- She envisions exactly what she wants to create.
- The environment in which she creates plays a significant role.
- The final stage involves kilns, cutters, blades, blasters, frits, and fragments—all essential components of a unified process leading to the final masterpiece.
For Miriam, art is a way to connect with the surrounding world. Through her craft, she constantly discovers new forms of beauty. In many interviews, she has mentioned that she enjoys working in series, allowing her ideas to take multiple forms. Despite the diversity of her works, each piece reflects her artistic essence.
Artistic Development
Miriam has honed her technique and achieved remarkable milestones. She has collaborated with some of the world’s best glass artists, including Kard Heron, Patti Gray, Joanne Tisdale, Michael Dupille, Robert Leatherbarrow, Tanya Viet, Miriam di Fiore, and Amanda Taylor.
Among her many works, one standout is “Illuminated Landscapes,” a fascinating series of lightboxes created using multiple fused glass panels. For this project, she incorporated frit and vitrigraph elements. Here are some additional notable series:
- “Out to Dry” – This exhibit featured a series of nostalgic images of hanging laundry on antique washboards. It evokes memories, encourages introspection, and prompts reflection.
- “Stepping Out” – A series of sculptures with a dancing heart, designed to impress and possibly inspire visitors.
- “Dripping Wet” – In this series, Miriam explored the possibilities of suspended animation in flowing glass.
Her works are regularly featured in local exhibitions and beyond Ottawa. Some of her collections have been showcased at Platform Gallery, National Capital Network of Sculptors, Lansdowne Park Horticultural Building, Galerie Cote Creations, West End Studio Tour, and various other galleries and exhibitions throughout the city.
