The third Winterlude Urban Cozy Project maker profile features Lisa Brunetta, a sculptor based in Gatineau, Quebec who incorporates wire, glass and recycled and recuperated materials into her work. She teaches stained glass and jewellery technique courses for the City of Gatineau (Alymer Sector) through the Aylmer Arts Council and has exhibited sculpture, jewellery and stained glass on both sides of the Outaouais river.
Here’s what Lisa had to say about her involvement in the WUCP, her design background and how the city has influenced her work.
S&N: Describe your contribution to the Winterlude Urban Cozy Project.
LB: I prepared a cozy of non-traditional cozy materials – a base made from interconnected pop can tabs and tufted with strips of metallic coffee bean bags – think aluminum shag mini-carpet. Using recycled and recuperated items is a theme in most things I make.
S&N: What inspired you to participate in the Project?
LB: I’m a fan of Spins & Needles and I’ve been looking for an occasion to participate in one of their activities. This seemed like the perfect collaborative project for me to make my contribution.
S&N: Describe your design/craft background. How long have you been making things? Are there other ways you get creative?
LB: I am a full-time artist working in sculpture, jewellery and stained glass. I teach, work, exhibit and volunteer in my artistic community. I’ve been making things with my own hands for over 25 years. My knowledge of a wide range of art and craft techniques has provided me with a broad base from which to work and I often use traditional techniques in non-traditional ways and across media. Currently my concentration is on sculpture and jewellery created with wire, incorporating recycled materials, and stained glass designs from the discarded glass from other stained glass projects.
S&N: What is the next creative project you are working on/would like to work on?
LB: I am currently preparing for a solo exhibition of my work at Espace Pierre-Debain in the Aylmer Sector of Gatineau. Opening night is April 23, 2010 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the show runs until May 30, 2010. Espace Pierre-Debain is one of the rare public galleries in the area specializing in the exhibition of fine craft. The show is called Connexions, and I will be showing sculpture, jewellery and stained glass – they want it all!
S&N: How does your city of residence inspire you creatively?
LB: Gatineau, and the Aylmer sector where I live in particular, has great natural beauty. I enjoy the peace of my neighbourhood and the feeling of being in the country, yet being located only 10 minutes from Parliament Hill. The National Capital Region, with its political atmosphere, is a perfect place to showcase recycled art and make a social statement about the waste created by convenience.
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Drop by Confederation Park to view Lisa’s fabulous sculptural metallic interpretation of an urban cozy. She was also recently featured on CTV’s Ottawa-Gatineau television show Regional Contact last week. Also check out her website and blog for updates.
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