Christina Bothwell Brings To Life Otherworldly Figurines In Glass & Ceramics Sculptures

Catherin Bothwell admits that she had spent over 25 years working on glass and ceramics separately when she stumbled on the idea of amalgamating the two quite accidentally. The final results are mythical, spiritual and dream-inspired unusual figurines that renew her zest for the possibilities of life itself, which she hopes to impart to her audience through her work. 

#1 “Antlers”, (2024) – cast glass, ceramic, and driftwood

#2  “Spidergirl” – Christina often collaborates with her husband, Robert Bender.  Robert carved the legs from wood, and Bothwell made the glass and clay portion for this particular piece.

Bothwell mentioned that the inspiration for her uniquely stylised pieces came to her while she was asleep, explaining, “Around the time I started working with glass, I began experiencing out-of-body dreams at night while I slept. These were indescribable and appeared to take place in another realm. They felt like more than dreams. In this dream state, I felt more alert and focused than I did when I was awake. I realised I could make sculptures where I attempted to capture the quality of those dream experiences, using cast glass to suggest the otherworldly space (or nonphysical realm) that I seemed to visit at night in those dreams-where-I-stayed-awake.”

#3 “Sometimes I Dream the Strangest Things”, from the permanent *Ernsting Glass Collection, at the Glasmuseet Lette in Germany.

#4 “Emerge” – The first of a series of pieces based on shells. The artist wanted to suggest coming out of hibernation after a long period of rest

#5 “Hand” – Made from cast glass and ceramic

While Bothwell was experimenting with glass, she divulged that she was a fan of imbuing her pieces using unusual elements such as sewn materials and found objects to bring her distinctive visions to life. Speaking on what inspires her designs, Bothwell revealed, “What I have come to understand about the creative process for me, over my life as an artist, is that creativity ebbs and flows. While working in the studio on a daily basis, there are some days where I feel like I am on fire- compelled to work without stopping for hours and hours, and other times where my creative mind is like a desert. During those times, the low points, I still go through the motions, working every day, completing projects, meeting deadlines, etc, but my heart is not engaged to the same extent as when I feel lit up and fully engaged.”

#6 “Emerging” – to suggest giving birth to a new self, a small personal resurrection

#7 “Dream” – made from cast glass and ceramic

#8 “Strawberry Gardens”, (2022) cast glass, ceramic & hand-painted details

Bothwell continued to reflect that, “Over the years I have learned to accept the highs and lows and to go with the flow. I don’t take the wonderful, inspired periods where I want to work all the time for granted, and I try not to despair during the times when despite my greatest attempts, I am not inspired or productive in the studio. I have learned to be patient with myself, to take a stance of non-judgement during the low periods, and conversely – to feel gratitude during the effortless times when my mind is flooded with ideas and all I want to do is work in the studio.”

#9 “Secrets”

#10 “Journey” (2021), cast glass and ceramic

#11 “Strange Angel #3,”- Collaboration with Robert Bender, cast glass, ceramic, hand-painted details, wood wings, and antique wood puppet hands

As an artist, Bothwell is mindful of spiritual growth and uses her art to impart that knowledge. She elucidated, “I feel that this has been an important lesson for me as an artist, and one I wish to impart to young artists experiencing something similar. There are always going to be periods in life due to outward circumstances (health issues, loss of a loved one, etc) where our focus is outwardly directed toward the practicalities of daily life. I think of those times ( when I am unable to work) as periods of incubation, where I am still growing as an artist, but the growth is on the inside, hidden, developing and not yet ready for expression. To use a metaphor- spring always comes, even after a brutal winter, and the flowers will once again flower on the trees.”

#12 “Wilderness” (2024), cast glass, ceramic, found objects, wood, and hand-painted details

#13 “Girl with Pink Bow,” (2024) – collaboration with Robert Bender, kiln-formed cast glass and ceramic

#14 Octopus Girl