Tracy Bochnak Kirchmann captured honorable mention in a sculpture competition that included students from North America and abroad.

Western Carolina University graduate student Tracy Bochnak Kirchmann recently received an honorable mention in the 2009 Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture competition from the International Sculpture Center. The competition featured 441 students from more than 176 college and university sculpture programs in North America and abroad.

“The award demonstrates that the WCU sculpture program prepares students to enter the art world as professionals at the highest level nationally and internationally,” said Marya Roland, professor of art at WCU. “Students in the School of Art and Design understand the broadest vision of art today and can move successfully in their field.”

Kirchmann calls her work “Existential Crisis” an extension of her conceptual use of glass to magnify aspects of human experience and culture that she finds interesting. The piece pairs incongruous objects – sex toys and bird paperweights – in a medium that unites them.

“These objects are made from the same process and from the same material. Visually, they are complementary,” Kirchmann said. “The conflict, in the juxtaposition of these objects, occurs only in the mind.”

In shape, color and material the piece’s overall design evokes a place of worship, she said.

“The combination of these two glass objects creates a visually stunning spectacle, which upon first glance seems natural,” Kirchmann said. “Upon further investigation, most viewers laugh, while others are repulsed. Regardless of people’s individual opinions, it undeniably ignites conversation.”

In conjunction with the award, Kirchmann’s work will be featured in the Grounds for Sculpture’s Fall/Winter Exhibition catalogue and Sculpture magazine’s October issue.

“The magazine is prominent and read by all art professionals, so the exposure for the WCU School of Art and Design is invaluable,” Roland said.

In addition to the honorable mention award, Kirchmann recently became the first glass artist to set up shop at Jackson County’s Green Energy Park in Dillsboro. She began leasing space at the park Sept. 1.

The park offers environmental protection, educational opportunities and increased economic development to the community through the utilization of landfill gas and other clean, renewable energy resources. At the once-abandoned landfill site, the park is developing a series of artisan studios for blacksmithing, glass blowing, pottery, greenhouse space, a biodiesel refinery, classroom and conference space, a café and a retail gallery.

“I’m just very excited to be a part of this,” Kirchmann said. “It’s going to be a tremendous resource for the community.”
Kirchmann came to Western Carolina having heard about the Green Energy Park and its opportunities for artists. She began working at the park as a graduate assistant, and hopes to do her thesis there. Her knowledge about glass working has been instrumental in putting together the glass studio at the park, said park director Timm Muth.

Kirchmann will be part of the Green Energy Park’s Art in the Park event held Sept. 19, which will unveil the glass studio.

For more information about WCU’s School of Art and Design, call (828) 227-7210.

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Last modified: Monday, Sept. 14, 2009