Juried into Online Exhibit
Jennifer Slotnick
Dungeness Crab (Metacarcinus magister)
Jennifer Slotnick
Oakland, CA United States
"Dungeness Crab (Metacarcinus magister)" is a tribute to an essential marine life form in the San Francisco Bay Area. This representation of the Dungeness crab is inspired by the beloved San Francisco icon and the interconnected ecosystem that consumers, ecologists, and fishers are working to preserve.
The Dungeness crab, with its intricate exoskeleton, clawed limbs, and distinctive features, became a natural subject for my exploration. Drawing inspiration from Almaric Walter’s meticulous approach to glass sculpture, I sought to capture the essence of the crab’s delicate yet armored structure. While often artistically depicted in its bright red cooked form, the living crab is part of a fragile ecosystem long before it reaches the consumer market.
To create the Dungeness crab, I employed a combination of pâte de verre and casting techniques, carefully manipulating the material to mirror the delicate yet robust nature of the creature. The translucency and color variation of the glass evoke the crab’s natural environment and the fluidity of its movement beneath the water. The process was technically demanding, as I sought to preserve the space between the delicate crab form and its thicker base, conveying both its vitality and the fleeting nature of the subject through the permanence of glass.
Through this piece, I aim to evoke a sense of reverence for the often-overlooked beauty of marine life, while exploring the unique ability of glass to preserve both the fragile and the ephemeral. I invite viewers to reflect on the delicate balance of our natural world and the importance of preserving it for future generations to enjoy.
Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 4