Once Upon A Time, wood and glass
Glass artist Marc Kalifa is well-known around Maleny, not only for his wonderful blown glass, but also for his involvement in the local
co-operatives and in the Woodford Folk festival. Many people, however, will not be aware of his sculptural ability. During April some of Marc’s beautiful sculptural pieces will be featured at ‘Art on Cairncross’…on which site, incidentally, he once ran an artist’s co-operative.
His sculptures show the depth of his artistic talents,
as they incorporate carved wood and cast bronze, alongside glass. The blend of textures and the contrast of how the light is caught by the glass, but blocked by the solid media gives rise to flowing forms against strong lines. Many of the pieces have a seemingly historic quality to them – shades of church art or architecture about them, but in a spiritual rather than religious context. The titles also reflect a spiritual journey (e.g. The Three Most Important Things or Hindsight). Marc has travelled personally far and wide through his life.
Full Circle, wood and glass
Originally from France, he settled as an adult in Australia only to survive Cyclone Tracey in Darwin, which was also a turning point for him artistically. It indirectly lead him into being a stained glass artist. Marc had a very solid career in this field, but shortly after relocating with his wife and family to Maleny, he had the chance to blow glass in 1986 and never looked back. He had found his true passion and set about building his studio. Since then he has perfected various signature series of hand-blown glassworks, but also revels in the challenge of expanding his skills such as learning the patient arts of bronze casting or wood carving; quite the antithesis of the immediacy of glass blowing! To actually construct the sculptures, Marc had to plan well ahead so that all of the elements would blend seamlessly and achieve the desired results. He has certainly managed this and created works which deserve careful consideration.
These beautiful artworks will be on display throughout the month of April at ‘Art on Cairncross’ where the gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm at Cairncross Corner, or works can be viewed on the website at www.artoncairncross.com.au
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