Five Elements Art Glass

 Biography                     

Mali Harrell is a native of the Georgia coast.  She began dancing at an early age then switched to manipulating movement as a video editor, which has been her profession for 27 years.  She is also an avid practitioner of Tai Chi and Kung Fu in Atlanta, GA.  Her favorite medium of artistic expression is blowing hot glass, fusing and slumping.  She has studied with Tadashi Torii of Duckbill Studios since 2003, and has attended classes in all aspects of glass art.  Her varied interests are evident in her works, synthesizing her personal experiences in eastern philosophy and martial arts as well as a life long love of the sea and the earth.

Artist Statement

Glass is my constant muse.  It feeds my soul and consumes my artistic passion.  It is the fluidity of the medium, the heat, the color, and the ability to manipulate and create art out of a molten hot mass.  It is also learning to accept, no rejoice in the imperfections, the unplanned twists and turns, celebrating the successes and learning from the failures that shape my relationship with glass.  It becomes a metaphor for life.  To successfully plan and execute a design and have it materialize out of my mind’s eye, through my breath and my action, creating the intention, is truly remarkable, possibly miraculous.  The creation of “Five Elements Art Glass” comes from my knowledge and life long study of nature, the elements of earth, fire, water, wood and metal, which join with my spirit to form the essence of my muse.