Early influences included Medieval tapestries and then more recently, while in Japan as a guest artist, her smaller creations began to be compared to Japanese netsuke (pronounced nets-ke) - small, carefully carved toggles, usually of wood or ivory, that historically were used to fasten small containers, instead of pockets, to kimonos. The animals used for netsuke typically had some spiritual significance and for Shelley, this fits with how she views her own creatures. She’s presently working on a series of netsuke vessels, combining intricate smaller animals with voluptuous jars.
Shelley is represented in numerous art galleries in the US as well as within collections at the Museum of Northwest Art in Washington and the Toyama City Institute of Glass Arts in Toyama, Japan. In 2009, she had a residency at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington which gave her access to a bounty of materials and a team of artisans who helped her push her work even further while also demonstrating to crowds in the museum’s auditorium.
Click to view:
- Shelley’s website & portfolio - Rik Allen’s “rocket man” portfolio
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48