Galia Amsel

Galia Amsel (British, born 1967), West Coast Surf 12, 2007, cast, sandblasted, and acid-etched glass. Gift of David Kaplan and Glenn Ostergaard, 2019.90.

Galia Amsel graduated from the Royal College of Art in London before relocating to New Zealand in 2003. Her work is characterized by an exploration of color, form, motion, and intervention. Her basic shapes are circles, rectangles, or squares that have been broken or interrupted in some way. With her open circles, which typify the West Coast Surf series, Amsel explores the choreography of movement and moments of balance achieved in a multi-faceted manner. In her curved and circular forms, the fluid shape of space is as important as the glass itself.

She also employs various surface textures and coldworking techniques, such as polishing and sandblasting, to accentuate the expressive qualities of the piece as well as define shape and substance. Amsel's glass sculptures convey and interact with light: as the light is confined within the mass of vibrant color, it reveals atmospheres while establishing tones and contrast.