Armelle Bouchet O’Neill

Armelle Bouchet O’Neill (French), Untitled, 2012, blown and sand-carved glass. Gift of David Kaplan and Glenn Ostergaard, 2019.140.

Armelle Bouchet O’Neill is a French-born, Seattle-based glass artist who studied at The Danish Design School in Denmark. Her many awards include the Lino Tagliapietra Award to attend the Pilchuck Glass School in 2007.

The inspiration for this work stems from the exploration of topography, the science that describes a landscape on a two-dimensional surface, each place being unique, much like a fingerprint. Armelle uses glass as a vehicle for this exploration by exploiting its intrinsic optical properties as well as its potential for myriad textures.

The artist explains: “Each piece is executed by masking a series of lines and deeply carving the space between. A curve evolves, repeats itself and grows organically, alluding to the rugged yet intricate formation of terrain. Amorphous lines emerge to create light and take form much like the creation of a topographical landscape. The work aims to be my ode to the beauty and diversity of our surroundings.” (Artist’s statement, © Armelle Bouchet O’Neill, 2013)