Thyrza Segal of Vancouver arrived at polymer clay after ten years in set design and costuming. Now she works on much smaller sets. Her plantscapes combine terrariums, vintage glassware and polymer clay sculptures into miniature organic dioramas.
Thyrza gathers glassware and ceramics from local thrift stores and fills them with succulents, minature tropicals, mosses and air plants. What brings the plantscapes to life are the sculptures – alien figurines and fantasy plants sculpted from polymer clay.
This combination of green-conscious, recycled, fantasy and sculpture is one terrific example of the future of crafts that experts envisioned at the conference I attended last week.
With the big move toward eco-friendly products, polymer clay artists are once again apologizing for their plastic material. Let's not be too quick to abandon our craft. Polymer clay is nothing if not adaptable...and we must be too. We're experts at recycling! We cover and reclaim tins and glassware. We…
I'm just flabbergasted by the polymer clay sculptures of Maria Brito now on display in the Bernice Steinbaum Gallery in Miami, Florida. In this show, 20 white polymer clay tableaux depict in three dimensions the themes from Los Caprichos, the "black paintings" of Francisco de Goya from the late 1700s.…
Ellen George's Nose Touches Twig solo exhibit of polymer clay sculptures inspired by nature will be at PDX Contemporary Art in Portland, Oregon through May 30. A former dental technician Ellen pushes the clay in new directions with her abstract forms that vary in density, color and translucence. The imagined…
Once again, you’ve brought a smile to my face with today’s post, Cynthia. Polymer clay bridges the whole spectrum of visual arts. What connects us all is our imagination – and our respect for those who trust themselves enough to imagine their work into being. Bravo to Thyrza Segal for her committment to building a whole body of work around her varied interests.
Thank you for highlighting Thyrza’s work. As a keen gardener I find her pieces so inspirational. Those luscious tropical “ecosystems” and the arid desert succulents really come alive with the polymer clay sculptures. The idea of recycling old wares as containers makes so much sense. I am always amazed what one finds in the local thrift shop – not just old glass with “precious” texture, old buttons – my indoor garden muse has been tickled. My critters will find a home. Her arid landscapes are just wonderfully inspiring.
Her “installations” remind me of Dale Chihuly’s installations at conservatories around the country. Though hers are more humorous and whimsical and on a much smaller scale. But like Chihuly’s, some of her pieces almost look like an extension of the plantings. What fun!
Jeannie ,
My favorite type of plants and flowers – no maintanance or watering. Again I have to words and being to think no talent for polymer clay.
Maureen Carlson ,
Once again, you’ve brought a smile to my face with today’s post, Cynthia. Polymer clay bridges the whole spectrum of visual arts. What connects us all is our imagination – and our respect for those who trust themselves enough to imagine their work into being. Bravo to Thyrza Segal for her committment to building a whole body of work around her varied interests.
Sabine ,
Thank you for highlighting Thyrza’s work. As a keen gardener I find her pieces so inspirational. Those luscious tropical “ecosystems” and the arid desert succulents really come alive with the polymer clay sculptures. The idea of recycling old wares as containers makes so much sense. I am always amazed what one finds in the local thrift shop – not just old glass with “precious” texture, old buttons – my indoor garden muse has been tickled. My critters will find a home. Her arid landscapes are just wonderfully inspiring.
Priscilla Lane ,
Her “installations” remind me of Dale Chihuly’s installations at conservatories around the country. Though hers are more humorous and whimsical and on a much smaller scale. But like Chihuly’s, some of her pieces almost look like an extension of the plantings. What fun!