Radhe-Syamini Sita Breathwaite

Name of School
Rhode Island School of Design

Expected Graduation Date:
06/04/2022

Faculty Nominator
Jocelyne Prince

Reason for Faculty Nomination
Syamini is passionate about the environment. Her studio practice has evolved over the past 3 years honing in on her interest in materials that are found within the earth itself. She has learned to mine materials – this mining practice has sharpened her observations of nature and has given her a keen and particular awareness of her surroundings; of the delicate balance that forms these natural wonders and a questioning of how our human activities extinguishes or severely compromises these natural processes.

Please provide a brief description of your art or medium.
My work is an amalgamation of recycled glass and various gemstones that are mined and collected from different locations across the US.

Is your artwork handmade by you? If not, please explain
My artwork is handblown using technical skills that I have developed throughout university.

Are all or some of the components locally sourced?
The recycled glass used is locally sourced along with different gems mined in
Julian, California
Pala, California
Kent, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Pahrump, Nevada

Artist’s Statement:
I utilize found materials by mining gemstones from different locations and encasing them in glass using traditional and experimental glassblowing techniques. Each gemstone responds differently to molten glass: some will crack, off-gas and explode. These reactions make what society deems precious, completely unrecognizable. Gathering the stones from the earth and the ethics surrounding mining are an important aspect in my work. By exploring the world of mining, I am highlighting the practice of extracting a sustainable supply of minerals that are key to a low-carbon energy future. The glass in my work reflects its non-toxic nature and ability to be recycled infinitely. Integrating salvaged waste materials is a prime element in my creative practice. After burning the gems, they no longer shine as they did before. Does the value of the gems change now that it is destroyed inside the glass?

How you will use the Fellowship funds if you are chosen as the winner.
The fellowship will help provide me with the resources to continue glassblowing and flameworking while mining and harvesting materials from the earth. I want to bring the treasures I find to Urban Glass, where I can rent studio space and further develop my research. The funding will allow me to purchase the necessary equipment and facilities needed to move my practice forward while expanding upon the environmental issues surrounding the excavation of gemstones. Having access to a glassblowing studio is essential to improving my overall technical skills and will give me the tools to build off my existing experiments and explorations. When working with glass in this way, I create a journey for the materials that challenges the predictable in a resourceful and innovative way. I plan to make more sculptures and installations that paint a tangible map of my material expedition.