[Untitled (1990) glass sculpture by Toots Zynsky]
Mary Ann ‘Toots’ Zynsky was born in Boston, Massachusetts on 25 March, 1951. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence (1973). During her studies, Zynsky became one of a group of pioneering artists studying with Dale Chihuly, who made studio glass a worldwide phenomenon.
- Today, Zynsky’s glass vessels are represented in over 70 international museum collections.
Zynsky developed her distinctive heat-formed filet de verre (glass thread) vessels, using streaks and ribbons of strong contrasting colours and pulling heated rods of glass through a machine developed especially for her studio practice. She then arranged them in rods using a concave mould. As a consequence, her glass-works often evoke the brilliant plumage of exotic birds which reflect the influence of traditional South African and South American textiles.
- Zynsky once quoted: “When I hear music, it translates into colour“.
“Kiss Me Tootsie and Then Do It Over Again” derives from the lyrics of the Al Jolson song “Toot, Toot, Tootsie! Goodbye”
Website | About | Facebook | Twitter
“Is It Art?”