Bibi Smit (1965, NL) is a Dutch glass artist and designer. Her work explores the patterns, rhythms and colours of movement in nature. Her creative process is focused on the relationship between natural phenomena and the fluidity of hot glass, original experimentation, and craftsmanship. By being able to control all processes, both in the hotshop and coldshop, her work shows an acute attention to detail and technique.
The most recent series “Clouds” is an installation inspired by the skies of the Dutch Masters painters. The colours of the elements closely resemble the sky just before rainfall or the threatening thunderclouds. The softness and lightness are a central principle where the hues interact and change from blues to soft greys. Each unique cloud connects to nature, empowering us to look after it.
Smit grew up in the Netherlands and moved to England to study glass at the West Surrey College of Art and Design in Farnham, England. She did an internship with Willem Heesen, at De Oude Horn in Leerdam, The Netherlands. In 1988, she received her Bachelor of Art (honours) and became a glass assistant of Annica Sandstrom and David Kaplan at Lindean Mill Glass in Scotland. Since her early career, she lectured in European studios and at the Edinburgh College of Art and the University of Sunderland. In 2003, Smit received an Artist in Residency Award at North Lands Creative in Scotland. In 2004, she was invited to take part in the 7th International Glass Symposium in Germany, and attended a masterclass with Boyd Sugiki at Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle. In 2019, the documentary “Moving Glass” was selected for the North Lands Creative Film Festival. The Glassmaker episode from a World of Calm Series streaming at HBO Max, is a poetic narrative of her work and the power of nature.
Public and private collections: NN Group Art Collection, The Netherlands, National Museums of Scotland (UK), Nationaal Glasmuseum Leerdam (NL), Museum Jan (NL), Glassmuseum Lednické Rovne (SK), North Lands Creative Glass Collection (UK), Museum für Glaskunst (DE) and the Glasmuseum Alter Hof Herding, Ernsting-Stiftung (DE).
Public and private collections: NN Group Art Collection, The Netherlands, National Museums of Scotland (UK), Nationaal Glasmuseum Leerdam (NL), Museum Jan (NL), Glassmuseum Lednické Rovne (SK), North Lands Creative Glass Collection (UK), Museum für Glaskunst (DE) and the Glasmuseum Alter Hof Herding, Ernsting-Stiftung (DE).