Criss Chaney
Criss Chaney was born in Seattle, Washington, where she first learned to work with stained glass. After high school she moved to San Francisco to study at California College of the Arts, where she discovered the magic of molten glass. There, she won a scholarship to go to Pilchuck Glass School, where she continues to spend her summers creating alongside some of the greatest names in glass. In 2004 she made the leap across the Atlantic and moved to England to finish her degree at the University of Sunderland.
Criss’ work deals with developing texture by integrating non-glass materials into glass works, and then exploiting techniques for working with both materials. Inspired by prehistory her current work takes on forms reminiscent of stones and geodes, dealing with questions of the origin of the universe, life, and humanity. Her work makes people question their views on glass and push the boundaries between glass and other materials. It is important that her objects have interior and exterior space for the viewer to enjoy and interact with. Viewers must get up close to the works in order to take in all their intricacies and subtleties.
Inspired by spirituality and science Criss’ current work takes on forms reminiscent geology, addressing questions of the origin of the universe, life, and humanity.
