While some artists turn to oil, watercolor or bits of smoky black charcoal for their creations, Etsuko Ichikawa opts for something more ephemeral: fire. The Seattle-based artist is known for her “glass pyrographs,” ethereal drawings made by literally painting with the fire and smoke emitted from hot molten glass. Her pyrographs are just one way in which Ichikawa captures fleeting moments – both in the physical and emotional world. Working with smoke, flame, molten glass, light, space and video imagery, Ichikawa has created two site-specific installations for her first museum solo exhibition.

The light and airy Bellevue Arts Museum Forum features three large-scale pyrography scrolls. An accompanying video is featured in the window of the Museum, with dancing images of smoke and fire bringing Ichikawa's process to life. The second installation, specifically designed for the Pilchuck Glass School Gallery, creates an intimate “inner gallery” comprised of a curved wall of glass pyrographs that surrounds an installation of hand-blown solid glass forms. Flickering video images will complete the shadowy display, which Ichikawa describes as dark and earthy. “I’m interested in investigating what lies between the ephemeral and the eternal,” says Ichikawa of her cutting-edge work. “Moment and memory, absorption and evaporation, light and shadow.”

About the Artist
Etsuko Ichikawa is a Tokyo-born, Seattle-based visual artist and her work is a continuing investigation of what lies between the ephemeral and the eternal. Her pieces exemplify the creation of something tangible from abstract concepts, and psychology has been her main source of inspiration. Ichikawa works primarily with glass and paper in various scales, including architectural installations. Her works have been exhibited and included in public and private collections internationally, including Japan, Hong Kong, The Netherlands, and the United States.

This show is a part of Bellevue Arts Museum's ongoing exhibition series Material Evidence.

Etsuko Ichikawa: Traces of the Molten State has been organized by Bellevue Arts Museum. Local viewing of this exhibition made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, 4Culture, Artist Trust, Pratt Fine Arts Center, Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass Museum of Glass, City of Bellevue Arts Program and the Jon and Mary Shirley Foundation.