Besos

Sallie Portnoy

I work with industrial materials to create organic and natural forms.  I imbue a sense of gentleness and movement into works to create a new object to challenge our perception of the re-use of materials.  I believe that beauty can be repeatedly created from whatever we have at hand, as long as we use ingenuity, integrity and artistic endeavour.

These preloved items become the parts that I use to create a whole – something new that inspires wonder.  I take hard, rusted, steel forms and imbue them with a sense of gentleness and movement.

Portnoy is a prolific interdisciplinary artist, working in glass, clay, metals, and mixed media. Her background in ceramics informs her work in glass, which has earned recognition and representation internationally in private and permanent collections. She studied ceramics at University of Manitoba and NSCAD in Canada and graduated from COFA (BA ceramics) and SCA, Sydney University (MSA glass). In recent years she has re-engaged in a ceramic practice at Northern Beaches TAFE Open Studio where she has been creating sculptural forms as well as thrown vessels. Portnoy has had numerous solo exhibitions and exhibits regularly in public art shows.

She has been the recipient of several major awards and public art commissions both in the private sector and by various community councils. She teaches glass casting workshops in Australia, Canada, Turkey, and in the U.S. at Corning Museum of Glass, Urban Glass NY, and Pilchuck, Seattle. She lives, works and teaches on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia.

Work/Teaching Experience

• 2019 Willoughby Arts Centre Sydney Australia
• 2019-1987  The G Spot Studio: Sydney, Australia: cast, fused & slumped glass, mosaic,
  • sand casting & glass blowing workshops, private tuition and commissions
• 2018 The Glass Furnace, Istanbul, Turkey: glass-casting workshop
• 2015 Pilchuck Glass School Seattle Washington, Session 2
• 2014 Bribie Island Arts Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: 2 day glass casting workshop
• 2014 Camp Creative, Bellingen, NSW, Australia: 5 day glass casting workshop
• 2013 Artist in Residence Skeggs Redlands Primary School, Sydney, Australia
• 2013 Camp Creative, Bellingen, NSW, Australia: 5 day glass casting workshop
• 2012 Red Deer College, Alberta, Canada, Glass casting workshop
• 2011 Manly Art Gallery & Museum Society Board of Directors, Sydney, Australia
• 2010 Mission Beach Art Centre, North Queensland, Australia: 3 glass casting workshops & Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre
• 2009 Home design, Sydney, Australia: mosaic stone floors, Glass mosaic bathrooms, kitchen, lighting, soft furnishings fencing & more (see website)
• 2008 Manly Art Gallery, Sydney, Australia: lecture Studio Glass Practice
• 2007 Pottery Place, North Queensland, Australia: 2 glass casting workshops
• 2004 Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York: glass casting/fusing workshop
• 2004 Urban Glass, Brooklyn, New York: glass casting/fusing workshop
• 2004 University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada: glass-casting workshop
• 2004 Finn Stained Glass, Sydney, Australia: glass-casting workshop
• 2003 Gymea TAFE, Sydney, Australia: glass-casting workshop
• 2002 The Glass Furnace, Istanbul, Turkey: glass-casting workshop
• 2002 Sturt Craft Centre, Mittagong, NSW: Summer, Easter & Winter glass casting workshops
• 2001 Guest lecturer, Architecture Society of Australia, Sydney: ‘Personal Artist Profile’
• 2001 Invited on to AUSGLASS Board of Directors, Sydney, Australia (2 years)
• 1998 Guest lecturer, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW: ‘Personal Artist Profile’
• 1997 Guest lecturer, Bezalel Academy, Jerusalem, Israel: ‘Personal Artist Profile’
• 1994 Lecturer, Niki Gallery, Tokyo, Japan: ‘Personal Artist Profile’
• 1993 Guest lecturer, Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney, Australia: ‘Personal Artist Profile’
• 1991 Bildwerk School, Frauenau, Germany: fusing workshop.
• 1990 Experimental Glass Workshop, New York: fusing/slumping workshop

 Solo Glass Exhibitions

• 2019 Curl Currl Creative Space N Beaches Council ‘Foursight’ Exhibition
• 2017 Kerry Lowe Gallery, King St. Newtown, Sydney Australia, ‘Cast & Present”
• 2015 Clara St Gallery, Sydney Australia ‘Introducing New instructors” Tom Bass Studios
• 2012 Depot Gallery Dank Street, Sydney Australia “Intersections’ Cast glass and mixed metals
  • Amarynth Gallery Toronto Ontario Canada, cast glass sculpture
• 2011 Soho Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Showcase,” cast glass sculpture
  • Sydney Opera House, Studio Building: “Avant Carde” Display, cast glass sculpture
• 2010 Manyung Gallery, Melbourne, Australia: “Glass Art,” cast glass sculpture
• 2007 Tap Gallery, Sydney Australia: “Mixed Marriage,” glass & bronze sculpture
• 2003 Soho Gallery, Sydney Australia: “Les Angels,” cast glass angels
• 2002 Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Sydney Australia: “Metamorfishes,” cast glass
  • Soho Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Guardians of the Grail,” cast glass sculpture
• 2000 Glass Artists’ Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Speaking Figuratively,” cast glass
• 1997 Distilfink Gallery, Melbourne, Australia: “All Figured Out,” cast glass sculpture
• 1995 Glass Artists’ Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “All Fired Up,” cast glass platters
• 1993 Craftspace, Sydney, Australia: “All Wrapped up,” mixed media jewel boxes
• 1988 Hamilton Glass Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Contemplates,” fused & slumped platters
• 1987 Access Art Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Mad Platters,” fused & slumped platters

Juried, Acquisitive, & Group Exhibitions

• 2019 Incinerator Sculpture Exhibition, “A Moment in Time” Sculptor Society, Willoughby, Sydney, Australia
  • Sculpture By the Sea Bondi, Sydney, Australia
• 2017/18 Northern Beaches Council Creative Space ‘Water’, ‘Air’,  ‘Fire’, Exhibitions, Sydney Australia
  • Incinerator Sculpture Exhibition, Willoughby, Sydney, Australia
  • Manly Art Gallery & Museum ‘Land’ Exhibition, Manly, Sydney Australia
• 2017 Ausglass Conference Exhibition, Canberra, ACT, Australia
  • MAGIC, Mansfield Art Exhibition, Mansfield, Victoria, Australia
• 2016 Wollongong Bicentennial Acquisitive Sculpture Award 2016
• 2015 Sculpture by the Sea Bondi, Sydney, Australia
  • KIGA, Kirra Gallery Illuminating Glass Award, Federation Square, Melbourne, Australia
  • Manly Art gallery & Museum,”Salt Water Country”, Sydney, Australia
  • North Sydney Art Prize, Sydney, Australia
  • Sculptors Society Exhibitions: Darling Park, Chifley Square, Governor Phillip & Governor Macquarie Towers, Gateway Building, Sydney, Australia
  • Soho Gallery Sculpture Show, Darling Park, Sydney, Australia
  • Incinerator Sculpture Exhibition, Willoughby, Sydney, Australia
• 2014 Northbridge Art Prize- 1^st prize in Sculpture, Sydney, Australia
  • Sculpture in the Vineyards, Hunter Valley NSW
  • Rookwood Cemetery “Hidden”, Sydney, Australia
  • Harbour Sculpture Prize, Sydney, Australia
  • Soho Gallery, “Contemporary Abstract  Paintings and Group Sculpture Exhibition”, Sydney, Australia
• 2013 Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Wagga Wagga Australia
• 2012 Sculptors Society Exhibitions, Sydney, Australia: Darling Park, Chifley Square,
  • Governor Phillip & Governor Macquarie Towers
  • Artman Gallery, Melbourne, Australia: “Focus on Glass”
  • Glass Artists Gallery, Sydney Australia “A4 Small Works Exhibition”
• 2011 Manly Art Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Keeping Company”
  • Festival of Mosman, Sydney, Australia: “In Situ Exhibition”
  • Manly Art Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Keeping Company”
  • Gaffa Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Refraction”
  • Artman Gallery, Melbourne, Australia: “Focus on Glass”
• 2010 Sculptors Society Exhibition, Darling Park, Sydney, Australia:
  • recipient of Price Waterhouse Cooper Prize for “Metamorphic Meditations”
  • Global Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Sculpture 2010 Exhibition”
  • Soho Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “The Best Of Exhibition”
• 2009 Sculptors Society Exhibition, Darling Park, Sydney, Australia: Figurative prize for “Lilith”
  • Contemporary Australian Art Glass, Hobart, Australia: “Furnace”
  • Soho Gallery Exhibition, Sydney, Australia: “Tranquillity”
  • Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Sydney, Australia: “Keeping Company Exhibition”
  • Tasmania Shop & Gallery, “Hobart, Australia: “Australian Art Glass”
• 2008 Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Wagga Wagga Australia: Print & Glass Exhibition: “Crossfire”
  • Soho Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “All the Best 2008 Exhibition”
  • Sculptors Society Exhibition, Sydney, Australia: Darling Park Exhibition
  • Glass Artists Gallery Group Exhibition, Sydney, Australia: “Best Of Exhibition”
• 2007 SOFA Chicago, Chicago, IL: represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney, Australia
  • Defiance Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Small Sculpture Exhibition”
  • “Sculpture in the Vineyards Exhibition,” Hunter Valley, NSW
  • Mosman Village “Festival of Sculpture Exhibition,” Sydney, Australia
• 2006 SOFA Chicago, Chicago, IL: represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney, Australia
  • University of Western Sydney, Australia: “Acquisitive Sculpture Award & Exhibition”
  • Defiance Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Small Sculpture Exhibition”
  • “Sculpture in the Vineyards,” Hunter Valley, Australia
• 2005  SOFA Chicago, Chicago, IL: represented by Raglan Gallery Sydney, Australia
  • Raglan Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Towards the Inner – Avec le Verre”
  • Manly Art Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Material Instincts”
  • Central Coast Art Exhibition, Wyong, Australia (1^st prize, $3500) for “Blue Lady”
  • Soho Gallery, Sydney Australia: “Sculpture 2005”
  • Ariana Gallery, Royal Oak, MI: “Celebrating the Figure”
• 2004  SOFA Chicago, Chicago, IL: represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney, Australia
  • Central Coast Art Exhibition, Wyong, Australia: (1^st prize, $3500) for “Blue Lady”
  • Ariana gallery, Royal Oak, MI: “Celebrating the Figure”
  • Sculptors Society Exhibition, Sydney, Australia: Australia Square Barnes Products Award
  • Salmon Galleries, Sydney, Australia: “Storytellers”
• 2003 Sculptors Society Exhibition, Darling Park, Sydney, Australia: (1^st prize, $2000)
  • for “Boat People”Ausglass Exhibition,Perth, Australia
  • Gunyulgup Gallery, “ Group Glass Show,” Margaret River, Australia
  • Bella Vetri Gallery, Maui, Hawaii: Artist reception
• 2002  Craft Council of Australaia, Sydney, Australia: “Romance at the Rocks” (2^nd prize)
  • “Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize,” Sydney, Australia
  • Sculptors Society Exhibition, Darling Park, Sydney, Australia (3^rd prize)
  • 2001  Kirra Australia Galleries, Melbourne, Australia: curated & exhibited in
  • “Figuratively Speaking;” 8 artists working figuratively in glass using 8 different processes.
  • “Sculpture in the City,” with “Sculpture by the Sea” Martin Plc., Sydney, Australia
• 2000  Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Sydney, Australia: “Reclaimed” exhibition
  • (Part of Sydney Biennale) “ORFC Glass Prize 2000,” Sydney, Australia
  • “Sculpture By the Sea,” Sydney, Australia
  • “Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show,” Byron Bay, NSW
• 1999  Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Caulfield University, Melbourne, Australia:
  • “Ausglass Members Show”
• 1997  Bellvetro Gallery, Miami, U.S.A.
  • Mary Place Gallery, Sydney, Australia
  • Michael Nagy Gallery, Sydney, Australia
• 1996  Centre for Contemporary Craft, Sydney, Australia: “Souvenir Show”
  • Distilfink Gallery, Melbourne, Australia: “Directors Choice”
• 1995  International Exhibition of Glass Kanazawa, Japan
  • “ORFC Glass Prize,” Glass Artists Gallery, Sydney, Australia
  • “Mornington Peninsula Craft Event,” Victoria, Australia
  • Museums & Art Gallery of Northern Territory, Australia: “15^th Craft Award”
• 1994   Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Wagga Wagga, Australia: “The Cutting Edge”
  • Gallery Niki, Tokyo, Japan: “Australian Glass Exhibition”
  • Meat Market, Melbourne, Australia: “Australia Revisited”
  • Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Wagga Wagga, Australia:“Limited Edition Series”
• 1993  ACI Glass Exhibition, Sydney, Australia
  • Archetype Gallery, New York: “Evolving Archetypes”
• 1992  Archetype Gallery, New York: “Artists On Show”
  • Distilfink Gallery, Melbourne, Australia: “The Glass Bowl”
  • Jewish Museum of Australia, Melbourne, Australia “Contemporary Design in
  • Jewish Ceremony”
  • Museum of Northern Territory, Darwin, Australia: “11^th National Craft
  • Acquisition Award”
• 1990  Bloomingdale’s Dept Store, New York: “Art and Design of Perfume Bottles”
  • Archetype Gallery, New York: “Artists On Show”
  • Experimental Studio, New York: “New Romantics”
• 1989  Primavera Gallery, Richmond, VA: “Australia Review”
  • 3^rd Invitational Exhibition, Sydney, Australia: “Of The Earth”
  • Ceramic Symposium, Gold Coast, Australia: “8^th Gold Coast National Ceramic Award”
  • Distilfink Gallery, Melbourne, Australia: “Australian Glass 1989”
  • Craft Council of Northern Territory, Darwin, Australia:
  • “Darwin National Craft Acquisition Award”
  • The Works Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “NSW Travelling Art Scholarship”
• 1988   Metro Arts Glass Show, Brisbane, Australia
  • Glass Artists’ Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “ANZ Glass Prize”
  • Craft Council of ACT, Canberra, Australia: “International Kiln-formed Glass”
• 1987   Glass Artists Gallery, Sydney, Australia: “Wearable Art Exhibition”
• 1980-87 Various group exhibitions, NSW and SA, Australia
• 1994 Lecturer, Niki Gallery, Tokyo, Japan: ‘Personal Artist Profile’
• 1993 Guest lecturer, Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney, Australia: ‘Personal Artist Profile’
• 1991 Bildwerk School, Frauenau, Germany: fusing workshop.
• 1990 Experimental Glass Workshop, New York: fusing/slumping workshop

Commissions, Grants & Public Art

• 2018 Warringah Council - refurbish mosaics Berry Reserve & Seating Westpac Corner
•  _{2017 Western Sydney University Sculpture Award and Exhibition}, Sydney, Australia
  • Wollongong Bicentennisl Aquisitive Sculpture Award 2016 Wollongong Botanic Gardens.
• 2015 “Sculpture By the Sea,” Bondi, Sydney, Australia
• 2012 Warringah Council - refurbish mosaics Berry Reserve & Seating Westpac Corner
  • Equity Foundation, Sydney, Australia: Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2011 Equity Foundation, Sydney, Australia: 25 Actors’ Equity Awards
  • Equity Foundation, Sydney, Australia: Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2010 Wall mosaic (10m²), Glenhaven Retirement Village, Sydney, Australia
  • Equity Foundation, Sydney, Australia: Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2009 Equity Foundation, Sydney, Australia: Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2005 Rose & Max Rady Jewish Community Centre, Winnipeg, Canada: “Sisterhood,”
  • 3m x 2m  stainless steel figures for outdoor sculpture garden
• 2004 Private commission, Palm Springs, California: 6 glass wall figures, 120 x 14 x 6cm
  • Chatswood Oval, Sydney, Australia: (4m²), glass mosaic for entrance to Peace Park
• 2003 Qantas Child Care Centre, Sydney: stone & glass mosaic
• 2000 “Sculpture By the Sea,” Bondi, Sydney, Australia
  • “Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show,” Byron Bay, NSW
• 1999 Warringah Council & Knox & Partners: 3 Sculptured and mosaic seat forms,
  • Westpac corner, Narrabeen, Sydney, Australia
• 1997 Warringah Council Glass Mosaic Bench (with children) Sydney, Australia
• 1996 Warringah Council Ceramic Mural at Harbord Public School, Sydney, Australia
  • Warringah Council & Integrated Site Design: (18m²), unground & wall glass mosaic
  • Berry Reserve, Sydney, Australia
• 1994 Quick Response Grant Visual Arts & Craft Board:  Sydney, Australia:
  • curated & exhibited in“Australian Glass Exhibition,” Gallery Niki, Tokyo, Japan
  • Queensland Art Gallery, Renoir Exhibition, Brisbane, Australia: “50 Rose Bowls”
• 1993 Observatory Hotel, Sydney, Australia: 20 Glass Face Masks
• 1992 Art Gallery of N.S.W. Sydney, Australia: “Secret Treasures of Russia,”
  • 50 “Royale Series” Plates
• 1991 Scholarship, Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, USA
• 1990 Scholarship, Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, USA
• 1987 Visual Arts & Craft Board: Development Grant

Community Projects

• 1999 “Happy Stop,” Mosaic bus stop seat project with Harbord Community Group
  • (Ages 6-65), Sydney, Australia
• 1998 Harbord Public School Project: Ceramic wall mural (3m²) Sydney, Australia
• 1997 Harbord Public School Project: Ceramic wall mural (2m²) Sydney, Australia

Education

• 2019 TAFE Brookvale Ceramic Department Open Studio
• 2012 Masters of Studio Art, Sydney College of the Arts, Australia
• 2005/6 Wollongong TAFE foundry student: bronze, aluminium &iron casting,
  • Wollongong, Australia
• 1998 College of Holistic Counselling, Certificate in Counselling, Sydney, Australia
• 1995/91/90/ 87  Pilchuck Glass School: summer workshops in glass casting, Seattle, WA
• 1990 Bildwerk School, Frauenau, Germany: glass & metal casting with Steven P. Day
• 1988-89 City Art Institute, Bachelor of Fine Arts: Ceramics, Sydney, Australia.
• 1984 Parsons School of Design: Ceramics with Dorothy Hafner, New York
• 1981 Ceramic workshops with Gwynn Hansen-Piggot and Joan Campbell, South Australia
• 1979-80 Nova Scotia College of Art & Design: Ceramics with John Reeve & Walter Ostrom
  • Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
• 1978-79 University of Manitoba: Ceramics with Robert Archembeau, Winnipeg, Manitoba,Canada

Awards & Prizes

• 2014 Northbridge Art Prize- 1^st prize in Sculpture, Sydney, Australia
• 2010 Sculptors Society Exhibition, Darling Park: Price Waterhouse Cooper Prize
• 2009 Sculptors Society Exhibition, Darling Park: Award for Figurative Sculpture
  • Royal Easter Show: Award for Figurative Sculpture: 1st prize
• 2008 Sculptor Society Exhibition, Darling Park: Barnes Products Award
• 2007 Sculptor Society Exhibition, Darling Park: Barnes Products Award
• 2006 Tap Gallery, Sydney, Australia “Environmental Show”: 1^st prize
• 2005 Central Coast Art Exhibition, Wyong, Australia: 1st prize
• 2004 Sculptors Society, Australia Square: Barnes Products Award
• 2004 Central Coast Arts Festival, Australia:  1^st prize
• 2003 Sculptors Society Award, Darling Park: 1^st prize
• 2002 Sculptor Society Exhibition, Darling Park: Honourable Mention
• 2002 Craft Council of Australia Exhibition: “Romance at the Rocks”: 2^nd prize

Permanent Collections

Glasmuseet, Ebeltoft, Denmark

National Glass Art Collection, Wagga Wagga, Australia

Queensland Regional Art Gallery, Brisbane, Australia

Museum of Northern Territory, Darwin, Australia

Private Collections: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, USA, Canada, Britain, Finland,

France, Germany, Czech Republic

Publications /Press

• 2013 Australian Signatures, The national Art Glass Collection, page 104, Australia
• 2009 Ceramics, Glasswork & Pottery, Vol. 11.1, pages 18-20
• 2006 Art of Glass, Glass Art Committee, China Craft Council Vol. 18, pages 16 -25
• 2003 Craft Arts Magazine #57:The Glass Furnace, Turkey”, Australia
• 2003 Horizon Magazine, Feb. Edition, Australia
• 2000 Northern Beaches Journal, Autumn Edition
• 1997 Crafts Art International, Vol. 38, pages 68-67
• 1996 Object Magazine Vol. 1, Australia
• 1996 Australian Studio Glass “It’s Movement, It’s Makers and Their Art” Noris Ioannou,
  • Craftsman House, Australia
• 1986 Craft Australia Yearbook, Australia