Sibelle Yuksek, aka Sibelley, works as an independent artist and teaches flameworking internationally. Her intricate pieces are inspired by figurative movement and aesthetics from manga, sci-fi, and mythology. She received her BFA in Communication Arts and in Craft/Material Studies with a Glass Focus from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2012. She has taught classes at Penland Craft School, Pilchuck Glass School, Corning Museum of Glass, Cam Ocağı, BCN Glass Studio, Berlin Flameworking Studio, Pittsburgh Glass Center and other private studios.

In my current exploration of the relationship between glass and the body, I invite viewers to consider these two elements as intertwined narratives. Each piece, whether figurative or abstract, serves as a catalyst for dialogue, revealing the connections we share with both material and physical form. The glass serves not only as a standalone sculpture but also as a lens through which the body is perceived. As these artworks are positioned against the skin, they become part of the living landscape of the body that resonates with the viewer’s curiosity. The translucence of the glass captures and refracts light and through the lens of a camera, it can capture the delicate interplay of the layers and shadows. Each photograph becomes a moment frozen in time, revealing how the magnification of the contours can reveal an entire scene that may not have been otherwise noticed. It challenges the observer to engage with the work and to decipher what may unfold through the visual language of shape and contrast. Ultimately, my objective is to cultivate a meditative space where viewers can reflect on the fluid fragility of glass and the landscape of the human form.