Mary Alice Holmes - October 2024

Bio and work description:

I am a self-taught artist passionate about the intersection of art and sustainability. Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, I discovered my love for creating art from repurposed materials during a bathroom renovation at home. I scavenged broken tiles, painted them, and from that moment, my artistic journey took root in the world of upcycling.

Today, my work predominantly features glass sourced from friends, neighbors, and thrift stores—items like old wine, oil, vinegar, and kombucha bottles, along with thrifted vase fillers and plates. I begin by smashing the glass with a hammer and then tumbling the pieces to achieve a frosted, sea glass effect. These transformed fragments are then assembled into mosaics that embody a naturalistic abstraction. Given the abstract nature of my work, I let the viewer see what they want and I hope it inspires the viewer to take a deep breath.