The Phoenix Award Committee has announced the artist Karen LaMonte as the 52nd recipient of the Phoenix Award and the Glass Person of the Year 2024. Her profound contributions to the medium of glass have significantly shaped the field. Her dedication to sustainability is exemplified by her commitment to being carbon-negative and climate-positive.
Karen LaMonte is a multifaceted contemporary artist renowned for her compelling work with glass among other materials. She creates art that challenges and expands our understanding of form and beauty. This award celebrates her exceptional achievements in glass, highlighting her ability to masterfully manipulate this versatile medium to explore deep themes of identity, beauty and the human condition.
Since its inception in 1971, the Phoenix Award has honoured those who redefine the boundaries of glass in both industry and art. Karen LaMonte’s career is a testament to this pioneering spirit. Her works invite viewers to a realm of grace and introspection, where each piece not only demonstrates technical excellence, but also embodies a powerful narrative depth.
Among her notable contributions are her life-sized intricately detailed glass dresses, each bearing the haunting impression of a body within. These evocative sculptures delve into themes of femininity and identity, celebrated for their unique ability to bridge personal experiences with universal truths.
Her commitment extends beyond the studio. LaMonte is a leader in environmental sustainability, consistently working to ensure her practice is carbon-negative. Her innovative collaborations with climatologists to create sculptures based on real weather data emphasize her dedication to blending art with environmental consciousness.
Banquet chair Aleksander Pinda and Phoenix Chairman Erik Muijsenberg had the privilege of visit Karen LaMonte at her studio in Prague, Czechia, on March 25 to personally inform her of her selection as the 2024 Phoenix Award recipient.
According to the committee’s regulations, the award will be presented to LaMonte by Erik Muijsenberg, the PAC 2024 Chairperson, during a banquet and award ceremony scheduled for Friday, October 11, in Prague, Czechia.