Josefine Petrussen
The Greenlandic GLass Artist
Josefine Petrussen is a Greenlandic glass artist living in Svendborg in the south of Denmark. She was born in 1994 in Greenland to a Danish father and Greenlandic mother.
Age two she moved to Denmark to live with her Greenlandic grandmother and her Danish grandfather. As she was growing up, her family in both countries took great care to ensure that she stayed close to her Greenlandic roots. Josefine paid regular visits to her family in Greenland and was always left with a deep fascination for the Greenlandic culture and its awe-inspiring habitat.
“Sometimes, I see Greenland as a stranger does; with bright enquiring eyes as if visiting for the first time, but Greenland also gives me a deep sense of inner peace. I always leave with my heart full of gratitude; so lucky to also be able to call this place my home. ”
At 17 Josefine began life as an apprentice glassmaker, where she developed her very distinct style. As a glass artist, her thoughts and feelings about Greenland, permeate her work. She often reflects as she works, on the Greenlandic stories and myths handed down to her by her grandmother as she was growing up.
Her Glass Icebergs are undulating layers of light blue glass that weave their way gently, yet formidably through the sea, just as the Greenlandic stories weave their magic down through the generations. Her art resonates with anyone who has visited Greenland and felt the majesty of the sea, the vastness of the land, and the magnificence of the ice, in this incredible part of the world.
“When you no longer live in the country of your birth, there is a tendency to hang on to the culture and beliefs of your birthplace, often with a sense of nostalgia. You come to see the place both subjectively and objectively.”
Being part Greenlandic has given Josefine Petrussen a strong sense of her Greenlandic roots.
Josefine finds great joy in the bright blue skies, the glaciers, the mountains, the icebergs, the whales, the sled dogs, and of course being amongst the people. The whales in particular, feature prominently within her work.
Josefine Petrussen also has a deep respect for the young people of Greenland who are liberating themselves from old ways that no longer serve them; taking positive action for change, creating a forceful, new, modern Greenlandic way.
But, for Josefine there is still a long way to go. Many children continue to have a difficult time growing up in Greenland, which is why she decided to donate 500Dkr from every sale of the Iceberg Series to the Children’s home ‘Sarliaq’, in Ilulissat.
“It is vital for me to be able to give something back to Greenland, after everything it has given me.””
Glass Icebergs
Real Greenlandic icebergs come in a myriad of shapes and sizes, colours and textures. Some are ice white, whilst others are various shades of white and blue. The opacities found in the icebergs can range anywhere from crystal clear to milky white. Some have many layers and some are eroded by the sea as they turn and move. These usually have a smooth, unspoiled surface. Some icebergs look like they were built to last, while others are so very fragile that you can almost see them rupturing. The wind, another eroding effect on the icebergs, creates fantastical shapes.
Josefine’s glass icebergs are made of layers of glass capturing the true essence of Greenland’s icebergs.
A blue LED light can be placed underneath the base, creating a magical glow that rises up, through the iceberg, as if from deep under the sea. During the winter months Josefine lights her icebergs, though in the summer months, she lets the natural sunlight shine through them.
PRICE
1 Glass Iceberg (product details above)
3.500 DKK (Approximately $500 USD).
Every 500 DKK (approx. $70 USD) is donated to ‘Sarliaq’ the children’s home in Ilulisat.
Josefine Petrussen’s icebergs are currently on sale in Hotel Hvide Falk and Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat.
““In Greenland we spend a great deal of our childhoods imagining shapes in the icebergs.
We love to find faces, animals and mythological figures within them.””
THE ICEBERG SERIES
Product Description
The Iceberg Series by Josefine Petrussen is a series of unique, handcrafted, glass icebergs. Each work of art is made using recycled glass. Each item varies slightly in shape and size. No two items are the same.
The Glass Icebergs measure approximately:
L:12 cm x W:11 cm x H:10 cm (4.7 x 4.3 x 3.9 Inches)
The Glass Base measures approximately:
L:18 cm x W:15 cm x H: 0.6 cm (7.0 x 5.9 x 0.23 inches)
Each Iceberg comes with:
1 Ceramic Whale tail for optional placement on the glass base
4 Wooden Feet for positioning under the glass base, raising it slightly, to be able to place the included blue LED light, underneath the Glass Iceberg.
1 Blue LED light.
Iceberg Packages are also available directly from Josefine Petrussen, plus shipping costs. Please contact Josefine via email: jp@petrussen-art.com or using the contact form below.
Contact
