Maria Spanakis

Maria Spanakis

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Glass is the ideal medium for representing the fragmented self, the shame, and the vulnerability of a child deprived of a balanced relationship with a maternal figure. It captures the internalized anguish that persists into adulthood. Maria's creative curiosity was sparked by her fascination with the shapes created by the shadows projected on the walls and ceiling of her childhood bedroom. Today, this is highlighted by the sharp, straight angles of the geometric shadows, reminiscent of origami art. Under the simple effect of an external constraint imposed by the artist, folded paper is transformed into a three-dimensional sculpture, becoming a metaphor for the emotions experienced by young women searching for their identity. Her origami-inspired glass works evoke the fragility and anguish these women feel as they transition into adulthood.

Text reprinted with permission from Espace Verre.

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