PAULINE OLESEN

Biography/Statement

Pauline Olesen was born in Victoria, B.C. in 1961. She and her husband, Steve Cruise, now reside on nearby Piers Island.

Pauline has always been involved in the arts working in watercolors, acrylics and pottery for creative expression until a fortuitous experiment with glass ignited a curiosity and passion. One experiment led to another until working with glass quickly overtook any desire to work in any other medium. Her fusing work is done entirely in a kiln, with the exception of the glass beads that are made in the flame by Steve. Depending on the piece, several firings in the kiln may be required to bring it to completion.

The process of fusing is one that evolves with new and changing materials. It is an ancient process that has undergone a surge of renewal since the early 1950’s. What was new in Ancient Egypt is being rediscovered in our time. The pioneers of this recent movement began in the United States with workshops at various universities inspiring professors to bring glass out of the factory and into the art world. These workshops attempted to change the functionality of glass; to allow it to become individual and unique again.