All good Glass comes to an end
The inspiration for making cast glass 'Paper People' came to me in 2009. Nine years on, as my practice evolves, I need to make way for new works. I have decided to stop making Paper People at the end of 2018.
I want to thank those who have purchased Cast Glass Paper People works in the past 6 years. I know some glass pieces have travelled far, some signify lost loved ones and some represent precious family groups. Each Paper People glass art piece has been made by my hand and from my heart.
There are still available pieces at my ever supportive galleries. Or take the opportunity to commission a paper people just for you.
Last Orders need to be received by 31 August for December delivery.
Di Tocker at Form Gallery, Christchurch
It's Better Together
is the title of Di Tocker's solo exhibtion at Form Gallery in Christchurch. Opening on 6 June and continuing unitl 26 June, 2018, Di's new sculptural glass artworks feature two figures together for the first time.
Di says "My husband and I have recently celebrated our 20 year anniversary, now ours is a maturing relationship. I have some very special alliances with other practising artists, one in particular - Jennie De Groot (painter) and I talk every week, sharing our practice ideals and help maintain each others momentum. So, I am coming to the conclusion, that while I make glass alone, life is so much better together".
The response to the new works has been very positive too.
“I love the solitary loneliness you have captured in your work up until now, but this new direction, better together, is really exciting. Can’t wait to see more”.
Stuart Park, Glass Collector and Historian.
It's Better Together continues until the 26th of June.
Form Gallery
468 Colombo St
Sydenham, Christchurch.
Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 5
Glass Art Open Studio - Cambridge, NZ
Sunday 3 December
11am - 2pm
Other times by appointment
33 Jarrett Terrace
Leamington
Cambridge
M 0210384057
E di@ditocker.nz
Otago Daily Times, Gallery De Novo review
The Painter and the Glassmaker
Jennie De Groot and Di Tocker
De Novo's current exhibition pairs the strong impressionistic landscapes of Jennie De Groot and the eye-catching meditative glasswork of Di Tocker.De Groot's paintings are strongly rooted in the rhythms of the Otago landscape. Landforms are often hinted at rather than directly stated in works where the palette captures and conveys the essence of the country. The paintings, created with a brush and knife, are dynamic, and painted with vigour and confidence. The radiating strokes of Guided Home and Burnt Around The Edges produce visceral traces of the equally strong landscapes represented. Quieter pieces, such as the sombre Untethered, capture the spirit of the land equally effectively.
Against these strong backdrops, Di Tocker's small attractive glass forms gain a Zen-like meditative quality. Figures stand and sit enclosed in circles of colour, or adrift on spirit-boats on some unknown sea. Others are captured like bugs in amber within solid blocks of translucency. The crystalline forms glow in soft tones, the pellucid colours shift and blend as the light moves around them. There is an intense thoughtfulness about the figures which enables the viewer to feel a personal connection with them. They have a rough familiarity; clearly hewn, they seem to represent the lost soul hopefully travelling to and unknown destination.
James Dignan
Otago Daily Times, Thursday October 12, 2017
The Painter and the Glassmaker VISIT
6-19 October, 2017
Gallery De Novo
101 Stuart St
Dunedin
Ph 03 474 9200
www.gallerydenovo.co.nz
Exhibition - Set up at Gallery De Novo, Dunedin
The Painter and the Glassmaker VISIT
Jennie De Groot and I set the up the exhibition on Thursday, after sending all our work down from the Waikato and arriving ourselves the day before. With strong ideas on how we wanted this show to look, Gallery De Novo allowed us to transform their space. I felt it was important to allow my glass to 'lift off' from the floor so instead of using plinths I designed (and executed in a very short time!) the central display area around the gallery pillar.
There is 'room to breathe' as you digest the paintings and glass. Relationships have been captured between the works. All in all, we are very happy!
I hope you enjoy these images. The exhibtion is on for the next 2 weeks till the 19th of October. Gallery De Novo is open 7 days - they will post and pack, should you wish to browse online I have the full catalogue here.
Regards
Di Tocker
Navigator Series available for viewing
My new studio is in Cambridge. I welcome you to visit my purpose built glass casting studio, have a chat with me and view the 15 new works. Developed in response to my residency in Dunedin 2 years ago, the Navigator Series focus on mindful travel, discovery and being in the moment where ever you are.
For the first time I have felt compelled to offer 2 figures as the setting allows. I have deliberately worked slowly and intuitively, combining textural elements contrasting with flat polished surfaces. The circle has been the starting point and as always my aim is to create an artwork with just enough information to provoke conversation.
All pieces are one-offs and include archival quality packaging.
If you would like to visit my studio contact me on 0210384057 or email di@ditocker.nz to arrange a time before the end of September.
Studio glass photos - Navigator series
It's always great to get the glass works out of the working studio environment and into the photography studio. I can take a step back from the glass, enjoy the successful results of hard labour and start to work on the next progression for the series. Here are a few tasters....
See the Exhibition
The Painter and the Glassmaker - VISIT
Gallery De Novo
101 Stuart St, Dunedin
Ph 03 474 9200
www.gallerydenovo.co.nz
6 - 19 October 2017
Di Tocker's Navigator Series in Glass
I'm so flippin' excited that these new pieces are now coming out of the kilns in my glass studio!!!
The seeds for the idea of my Navigator series were sown in Dunedin in 2015 where I spent 6 weeks as Artist in Residence at Dunedin School of Art, savouring the opportunity to explore local areas, especially Observation Point, Port Chalmers and Aromoana. Afternoons were also whiled away researching local artist Ralph Hotere at the Hocken Library.
In the Navigator series, small figures sit or stand, looking from simplistic forms of boats, bridges and worlds, speaking of mindful travel, exploration, curiosity and being in the moment. Viewers will find their own individual stories within these pieces, making their own connection.
It is my hope that the jewel-coloured seductive glass, ensure the works from my Navigator series will take the viewer somewhere new.
I have 12-15 of these works in the studio (in various stages of complettion) for the upcoming exhibtion at Gallery de Novo, Dunedin. Open 7 days from October 6 - 19 I will be sharing the show with my good friend, and art support - painter Jennie De Groot.
I will (excitedly) keep you posted on the progress of the Navigator series!