Artist of the Month
October 2024
Malina Cipleu
Born in Romania, Malina Cipleu is a contemporary glass artist residing in Austin, TX. Her kiln-formed glass work captures moments of beauty. Inspired by nature, her art conveys movement and transience through installations that respond to their surroundings and smaller sculptural pieces celebrating the moment. Malina is represented by Helios Glass, Austin, Texas.
Click each photo for a full picture.
Of Lichens and Moss, 2024; 12 x 16 x 4 inches; kiln-formed glass, walnut stand
In Touch 2, 2024; , 23 x 23 inches; kiln-formed glass, aluminum standoffs
Sky Seed, 2024; 10 x 22 inches; kiln-formed glass, aluminum standoffs
Primeval Gathering, 2023; 168 x 48 inches; kiln-formed glass, stainless steel standoffs
Water Seed, 2024; 10 x 20 inches; kiln-formed glass, aluminum standoffs
Watersouls 3, 2024; 48 x 48 inches; kiln-formed glass, stainless steel standoffs
Wind Seed, 2024; 22 x 20 inches; kiln-formed glass, aluminum standoffs
Malina Cipleu
Artist Statement:
In my work I try to capture fleeting instances of beauty, giving them an illusion of permanence in glass. Drawing inspiration from the delicate moments that weave the tapestry of our lives, I find beauty in transient moments seen or imagined.
As a glass artist, I find the medium fascinating in its transparency, reflection, fragility, and strength, as I allow it to guide me, understand it, and embrace the unexpected. Sheets of glass, enamels, and glass powders transform under the kiln's heat and provide me with a vocabulary I couldn’t find in words.
Within each piece lies a quiet conversation between form and emotion—a storytelling that I hope will connect profoundly with viewers and allow them to continue the story through their own lens.
About Malina Cipleu
Malina Cipleu completed her Bachelor's degree in psychology in Romania in 1996 and moved to the USA shortly after. Her creative journey began with an exploration of various mediums, leading her to discover glass in 2012. Drawn to its unique qualities, she immersed herself in kiln-formed glass through advanced classes and remains captivated by its limitless possibilities. The intersection of psychology, glass fusing, and her deep connection to nature now forms the foundation of her artistic expression.
Malina's artistic journey is defined by her dedication to pushing the boundaries of kiln-formed glass and her seamless blend of storytelling and craftsmanship. Her work has been featured in several galleries across the United States, culminating in her first solo exhibition at Ardest Gallery in The Woodlands, TX, in June 2024. This was followed by a duo show at the Georgetown Art Center in Georgetown, TX, in August and September of the same year. In 2023, she co-curated Beginnings, Stories in Fused Glass at Artworks West 6th Gallery, in Austin, TX, a showcase of 50 kiln-formed glass artists from Texas. Passionate about sharing her expertise, Malina teaches kiln-forming at Helios Fused Glass Studio in Austin.
Click here for an artist's resume.
Acknowledgment of Gallery:
We are grateful to Helios Fused Glass Studio, Austin, Texas, for providing the Artist of the Month.
The Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to further the development and appreciation of art made from glass.
The Alliance informs collectors, critics and curators by encouraging and supporting museum exhibitions, university glass departments and specialized teaching programs, regional collector groups, visits to private collections, and public seminars.
