Marian Abath at work. Photo courtesy of Marian and Ciro Abath.

Marian Abath describes herself as a ‘glass artisan’.

Trained as an educational scientist, her curiosity about glass led to a passion for producing stunning works inspired by the Aruban landscape. Marian is the co-owner of Terrafuse, a multi-purpose space for workshops and design in Oranjestad, which she shares with her husband Ciro.

Marian speaks to Yello about how she stumbled into art, and her love for teaching others.

Tell me about how you got started as an artist.

My marriage is a marriage into art. Aruba is a small rock, and there are not a lot of experts here when it comes to the use of materials. When Ciro decided to take glass blowing classes in Istanbul, I decided to join for a course at the same institute, The Glass Furnace, with the idea that he’d have someone around to discuss glass with. But glass is so addictive. It is a beautiful material with a lot of possibilities. It opened a new life for me.

Can you describe your design style?

Underwaterworld by Marian Abath. Photo courtesy of Marian and Ciro Abath.

It starts with the material, glass; that can be recycled glass, or studio glass from Italy or the US. Most times, it feels like the material tells me where to go. Nature, too – the shapes and textures of corals, ocean colours and the contradiction of, for instance, bright blue with rough white structures.

My design style is basic, plain. During workshop sessions I teach others to use different design techniques, but in my own work it is plain, raw glass that tells the story.

What are your favourite materials to work with? How do you typically source these materials?

I would love to use more ceramics in my work, to get a better feel for that material. But I feel like I still need a lot of time to explore glass in more detail and in different ways, using different tools and different types of glass; at the torch, blowing and fusing.

I am also trained in working with silver and art clay silver, but honestly, the tools are waiting to be used. I know it needs more dedication, but seeing glass melt is instant happiness, and that feels a bit different when working as a silversmith.

What, or who inspires you?

I like Instagram a lot for following other ‘makers’. The medium they work in is not so important – I think I follow more illustrators than glass blowers. Recently, I found someone that does embroidery in a totally new, non-traditional way, (@meredithwoolnough) and a lady that does paperwork inspired by nature in an incredibly detailed way (@woodlucker). For jewelry, I like Alexander Calder (@alexandercalder). Nature and organic forms are a source of inspiration for them too; I love to see the translation of that into craft.

Describe your work process.

In 2011, I took part in a preparation course that Amsterdam’s Rietveld Art Academy organised on Aruba. The main critique I got there was that I made my plan and then executed it. That might sound hilarious, but it is totally true. I have been trained in project management for the educational field and have been doing my projects in that way for over 20 years. But in art, you miss things, chances, if you stick too much to the plan. So I try to keep my eyes open during the process to see where intuition takes over from planning.

How does Aruba inspire your work? Are there any places in Aruba that are particularly inspiring for you?

Coral inspired glass bowl by Marian Abath. Photo courtesy of Marian and Ciro Abath.

Aruba’s climate is heavy, harsh – the heat, the wind, the roughness of the north coast. It is so pure, so honest. And then, there is the contrast while snorkeling – the underwater world is so calm and serene (at least, so it seems). One must use that when working. The shapes of shells and corals, Crystal Mountain. This small island is so full of different landscapes; full of light.

As an artist, what would you say has been your greatest success thus far?

The biggest success for me has been sharing. In 2008, we launched a foundation with the name Terrafuse Arubaglassceramics. The main focus is developing products and giving training in different techniques. I train locals as well as tourists to work with glass at the torch. And, I truly love to open a new world to them as it was opened to me in Turkey. We try to support local youth (14 years and up, 1300F glass is not for kids) by offering lower rates. Aruba also has a lot of frequent visitors that come back every year. We have created something that benefits the local people, , and also adds something to the tourist market. More and more tourists want an experience and not only sun, sea and white beaches.

What is one challenge you face as an artist?

Time. There are so many ideas and things to do. I love to give workshops, but I love even more to be working with glass myself.

Can you tell us a bit about your jewelry design?

Glass beads with gold leaf, necklace by Marian Abath. Photo courtesy of Marian and Ciro Abath.

I do not see myself as a jewelry designer. Not at all. I work with glass. I make objects. Sometimes that object is a piece of jewelry, but it can also be an ornament, a small perfume bottle, a paper weight or a glass panel. The workshops I teach are mainly focused on glass bead making, so many of the participants design jewelry in one way or the other, but I think of myself more as a glass artisan. Artist is not a good word either, at least not to me; art has a message, a meaning, and is not just beautiful. Runways and trunk shows are not on my wish list. Of course, I like to show my work to the world, but more likely in a gallery or an archeology museum with work inspired by old Roman glass.

Besides working with glass, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Walking! Feeling the wind and seeing the roughness of Aruba’s landscapes.

What advice would you give to an individual who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Come to Terrafuse! It’s the perfect combination of a holiday on Aruba, and a way of getting to know glass.

For more on Marian, visit Terrafuse’s website at https://www.terrafusearuba.com/.