Nascentai Blades – 1m

Sally Portnoy Sculpture

With these kiln cast forms Portnoy is investigating & exploring the passage of light & time, the subtlety, sensuality & simplicity of the line, & the extraordinary beauty of glass crystal. The figures speak about female empowerment and empowerment of humankind at large. Conscious intellect struggles to win mastery over brute passions as in “The quest for the Holy Grail”. Like the Sword in the Stone, the sword-like figures are plunged into their bases – grounded and earthbound, while their elegant forms reach up to the heavens; to a higher ground. They are at once both male and female; at ‘base’ extremely sexual and reflective of the basic nature of mankind. They speak of the conflict between opposing forces within us, between archaic impulses and new aspirations.

 

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). Portnoy has had numerous solo exhibitions and exhibits regularly in outdoor 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 workshops in Australia, Canada, Turkey, and in U.S. at Corning Museum of Glass and Urban Glass NY and Pilchuck, Seattle. She lives, works and teaches on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

 

Commissions, Grants & Public Art

2024 from 2022 Hillview Estate Hunter Valley NSW,AU

2023 Sculpture on the Farm, Dungog, NSW ,AU

2023 Clyde Exhibition, Batemans Bay, NSW, AU

2023 Sydney Botanic Gardens “Sea Garden” Syd,AU

2022 Sculpture on the Farm, Dungog, NSW ,AU

2020 “Sculpture by the Sea” Cottesloe, WA, AU

2019 “Sculpture by the Sea” Bondi, Syd, AU

2018  Warringah Council – refurbish mosaics Berry Reserve & Seating Westpac Corner, Syd, AU

2016 Wollongong Bicentennial Acquisitive Sculpture Award 2016, Wollongong Botanic Gardens, AU

2015 “Sculpture by the Sea”, Bondi, Syd, AU

2012  Warringah Council – refurbish mosaics Berry Reserve & Seating Westpac Corner, Syd, AU

2010 Wall mosaic (10m2), Glen haven Retirement Village, Syd, AU

2005 Rose & Max Rady Jewish Community Centre, “Sisterhood,”, 3m x 2m stainless steel figures for outdoor sculpture garden, Winnipeg, Canada

2004 Private commission, Palm Springs, California, USA: 6 glass wall figures, 120 x 14 x 6cm

• Chatswood Oval (4m2), glass mosaic for entrance to Peace Park, Syd, AU

2003 Qantas Child Care Centre, stone & glass mosaic, Syd, AU

2000 “Sculpture by the Sea”, Bondi, Syd, AU

• “Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show”, Byron Bay, AU

1999 Warringah Council & Knox & Partners: 3 Sculptured and mosaic seat forms, Westpac corner, Syd, AU

1997 Warringah Council Glass Mosaic Bench (with children), Syd, AU

1996 Warringah Council Ceramic Mural at Harbord Public School, Syd, AU

• Warringah Council & Integrated Site Design: (18m2), unground & wall glass mosaic,Berry Reserve, Syd, AU

1994 Quick Response Grant Visual Arts & Craft Board, Syd, AU

• Curated and exhibited, “Australian Glass Exhibition”, Gallery Niki, Tokyo, Japan

1991 Scholarship, Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, USA

1990 Scholarship, Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, USA

1987 Visual Arts & Craft Board: Development Grant, Syd, AU

 

Solo Glass Exhibitions

2025 Soho Gallery ”All in Time” Glass & Mixed Media Exhbition, Syd, AU

2019 Curl Curl, Creative Space Northern Beaches Council, “Foursight” exhibition, Syd, AU

2017 Kerry Lowe Gallery, “Cast & Present”, Syd, AU

2015 Clara St Gallery, Tom Bass Studios, “Introducing New instructors”, Syd, AU

2012 Depot Gallery Dank Street, “Intersections” Cast glass and mixed metals, Syd, AU

• Amarynth Gallery, “Cast Glass Sculpture”, Toronto Ontario Canada

2011 Soho Gallery, “Showcase”, Cast Glass Sculpture, Syd, AU

• Sydney Opera House, Studio Building, “Avant Carde” Display, Cast Glass Sculpture, Syd, AU

2010 Manyung Gallery, “Glass Art”, Cast Glass Sculpture, Melbourne, AU

2007 Tap Gallery, “Mixed Marriage,” glass & bronze sculpture, Syd, AU

2003 Soho Gallery, “Les Angels,” Cast Glass Angels, Syd, AU

2002 Manly Art Gallery and Museum, “Metamorfishes,” Cast Glass, Syd, AU

• Soho Gallery, “Guardians of the Grail,” Cast Glass Sculpture, Syd, AU

2000 Glass Artists’ Gallery, “Speaking Figuratively,” cast glass, Syd, AU

 

Juried Group Exhibitions

2024 “Manly Environmental Art and Design Exhibition,” Manly, Syd, AU
2023  Lee & Lowe Gallery, Tableware Show, Sydney NSW
2022 ‘Biavi’ Glass Biennale 2022, San Jose , Costa Rica
*“Environmental Art & Design Prize “ Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Manly, NSW,AU
*“Smoke Screen” Gallery 109 Manly, NSW
*“In Full View” Gallery 109 Manly, NSW
*”Affordable Art Show” represented by Soho Gallery, Syd, AU
2021“Les Sculptures Refusées”, Q Station Manly, Syd, AU

• “Transformation”, Botanic Gardens, Syd, AU
• “Raining Pots” Curl Curl Creative Space Ceramics, Syd, AU
• “Sculpture in the Gardens” Mudgee, AU
• “Sculpture in the Vineyards”, Wollombi, AU
• “Sculpture on the Farm”, Dungog, AU
• “Sculpture in the Valley”, Kiama, AU
• “Bnai Brith COA Art Exhibition, Syd, AU
• “Be Bold”, Be Brave Art Space, Ceramic Exhibition, Syd, AU
• “Grotto” Show, Saint Cloche, Syd, AU

2020 “Sculpture by the Sea”, Cottesloe, WA, AU

• “Sculpture in the Gardens”, Mudgee, AU
• “Sculpture in the Vineyards”, Wollombi, AU
• “Harbour Sculpture Prize”, Balmain, Syd, AU

2019 “Sculpture by the Sea”, Bondi, Syd, AU
“Sculpture on the Farm”, Dungog, AU
Incinerator Sculpture Exhibition, “A Moment in Time”, Willoughby, Syd, AU
(Prize for excellence), 3D Poolside, Warringah Aquatic Centre, Syd, AU
Northern Beaches Art Prize, Creative Space, Syd, AU

2018 Northern Beaches Council Creative Space “Water”, “Air”, “Fire”, Syd, AU

• “Incinerator Sculpture Exhibition”, Willoughby, Syd, AU
• Manly Art Gallery & Museum, “Land” Exhibition, Syd, AU

2017 “Ausglass Conference Exhibition”, Canberra, AU

• “MAGIC”, Mansfield Art Exhibition, Mansfield, Victoria, AU
• “Eden Unearthed” Sculpture Exhibition, Syd, AU

2016 Wollongong Bicentennial Acquisitive Sculpture Award, AU

2015 “Sculpture by the Sea”, Bondi, Syd, AU

• “KIGA”, Kirra Gallery Illuminating Glass Award, Federation Square, Melbourne, Australia
• Manly Art gallery & Museum, “Saltwater Country”, Syd, AU
• North Sydney Art Prize, Syd, AU
• Sculptors Society Exhibitions: Darling Park, Chifley Square, Governor Phillip & Governor, Macquarie Towers, Syd, AU
• Soho Gallery Sculpture Show, Darling Park, Syd, AU
• “Incinerator Sculpture” Exhibition, Willoughby, Syd, AU

2014 Northbridge Art Prize- 1st prize in Sculpture, Syd, AU

• “Sculpture in the Vineyards”, Hunter Valley, AU
• Rookwood Cemetery, “Hidden”, Syd, AU

2012 Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Wagga Wagga, AU

2012 Sculptors Society Exhibitions: Darling Park, Chifley Square; Governor Phillip & Governor

Macquarie Towers, Syd, AU

• Artman Gallery, Melbourne, AU

2011 Manly Art Gallery, “Keeping Company”, Syd, AU

• Festival of Mosman, Syd, AU
• “In Situ Exhibition”, Manly Art Gallery, Syd, AU
• “Focus on Glass”, Gaffa Gallery, Syd, AU
• “Refraction”, Artman Gallery, Melbourne, AU

2010 Sculptors Society Exhibition, Darling Park, Syd, AU

• Australia-Recipient of Price Waterhouse Cooper Prize for “Metamorphic Meditations”
• “Sculpture 2010 Exhibition”, Global Gallery, Syd, AU
• “The Best of Exhibition”, Soho Gallery, Syd, AU

2009 “Sculptors Society” Exhibition, Darling Park, Syd, AU

• Figurative prize for “Lilith” Contemporary Australian Art Glass, Hobart, AU
• “Furnace” Soho Gallery Exhibition, Syd, AU
• “Tranquillity”, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Syd, AU
• “Keeping Company Exhibition”; Tasmania Shop & Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania

2008 “Crossfire”, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Print & Glass Exhibition: Wagga Wagga, AU

• “All the Best 2008 Exhibition”, Soho Gallery, Syd, AU
• “Sculptors Society Exhibition”, Syd, AU
• “Darling Park Exhibition”, Syd, AU
• “Best of Exhibition”, Glass Artists Gallery Group Exhibition, Syd, AU

2007 SOFA Chicago, Chicago, USA, represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney

• Defiance Gallery, “Small Sculpture Exhibition” Syd, AU
• “Sculpture in the Vineyards” Exhibition, Hunter Valley, AU
• Mosman Village “Festival of Sculpture Exhibition,” Syd, AU

2006 SOFA Chicago, Chicago, USA: represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney

• University of Western Sydney, “Acquisitive Sculpture Award & Exhibition”, AU
• Defiance Gallery, “Small Sculpture Exhibition”, Syd, AU
• “Sculpture in the Vineyards,” Hunter Valley, AU

2005 SOFA Chicago, Chicago, USA: represented by Raglan Gallery Sydney

• “Towards the Inner – Avec le Verre” Manly Art Gallery, Syd, AU
• “Material Instincts”, Central Coast Art Exhibition, Wyong, Australia (1st prize)
• “Sculpture 2005”, Ariana Gallery, Royal Oak, “Celebrating the Figure”, USA

2004 SOFA Chicago, Chicago, USA: represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney,

• Central Coast Art Exhibition, Wyong, Australia (1st prize), Syd, AU
• Ariana gallery, Royal Oak, “Celebrating the Figure”, Syd, AU
• Sculptors Society Exhibition, Australia Square Barnes Products Award, Syd, AU
• Salmon Galleries, “Storytellers”, Syd, AU

2003 Sculptors Society Exhibition, Darling Park (1st prize) for “Boat People”, Syd, AU

• Ausglass Exhibition, Perth, AU
• Gunyulgup Gallery, “Group Glass Show,” River
• Bella Vetri Gallery, Artist reception, Maui, Hawaii

2002 Craft Council of Australia, Sydney, “Romance at the Rocks” (2nd prize)

• “Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize,” Syd, AU
• Sculptors Society, Darling Park, Syd, AU

2001 Kirra Australia Galleries, curated & exhibited in “Figuratively Speaking;” 8 artists working figuratively in glass using 8 different processes, Melbourne, AU

• “Sculpture in the City,” with “Sculpture by the Sea” Martin Plc., Syd, AU

2000 Manly Art Gallery & Museum, “Reclaimed” exhibition (Part Biennale) Syd, AU

• “ORFC Glass Prize 2000,” Syd, AU
• “Sculpture by the Sea,” Bondi, Syd, AU
• “Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show,” Byron Bay, AU
• “Mornington Peninsula Craft Event”, Victoria, AU
• Museums & Art Gallery of Northern Territory, “15th Craft Award”, AU

 

 Education

2019 -2024 Northern Beaches TAFE, Ceramic Department Open Studio, Syd, AU

2012-2013 Masters of Studio Art, Sydney College of the Arts, Syd, AU

2005 – 2006 Wollongong TAFE foundry metal casting, Wollongong, AU

1998 College of Holistic Counselling, Certificate in Counselling, Syd, AU

1995/1991/1990/ 1987, Pilchuck Glass School: workshops in glass casting, Seattle, USA

1990 Bild-Werk School: glass & metal casting, Frauenau, Germany

1988-1989 City Art Institute, Bachelor of Fine Arts: Ceramics, Syd, AU

1984 Parsons School of Design: Ceramics with Dorothy Hafner, New York, USA

1981 Ceramic workshops with Gwynn Hansen-Piggott and Joan Campbell, South AU

1979- 1980 Nova Scotia College of Art & Design: Ceramics, Halifax, Canada

1978-1979 University of Manitoba: Ceramics with Robert Archambeau, Winnipeg, Canada

 

Work/Teaching Experience

2024-1987 The G Spot Glass Studio: workshops in cast, fused & slumped glass, mosaic, sand casting & glass blowing, Syd, AU
2024 Siju Glass Perth, Western Australia.Two Kiln Casting Workshops
2020 Accepted for inclusion on Council’s Public Art Artist Panel, Syd, AU
2018 The Glass Furnace, glass-casting workshop, Istanbul, Turkey
2015 Pilchuck Glass School, glass casting workshop session 2, Seattle Washington, USA
2012 Red Deer College, Glass casting workshop, Alberta, Canada
2011 Manly Art Gallery & Museum Society Board of Directors, Syd, AU
2008 Manly Art Gallery, lecture Studio Glass Practice, Syd, AU

2007 Pottery Place, 2 glass casting workshops, North Queensland, AU

2004 Corning Museum of Glass, glass casting/fusing workshop, NY, USA

2004 Urban Glass, glass casting/fusing workshop, New York, USA

2004 University of Manitoba, glass-casting workshop, Canada

2003 Gymea TAFE, glass-casting workshop, Syd, AU

2002 The Glass Furnace, glass-casting workshop, Istanbul, Turkey

2001 Invited on to AUSGLASS Board of Directors, Syd, AU (2 years)

1998 Southern Cross University, Guest lecturer,Lismore, NSW

1997 Bezalel Academy, Guest lecturer, “Personal Artist Profile” Jerusalem, Israel

1994 Niki Gallery, Lecturer, Tokyo, Japan

1993 Sydney College of the Arts, Guest lecturer, Syd, AU

1991 Bild-Werk School, fusing workshop, Frauenau, Germany

1990 Experimental Glass Workshop, fusing/slumping, New York, USA

 

Community Projects

1999 “Happy Stop,” Mosaic bus stop seat project with Harbord Community Group, Syd, AU
1998 Harbord Public School Project: Ceramic wall mural (3m2), Syd, AU
1997 Harbord Public School Project: Ceramic wall mural (2m2), Syd, AU

Awards & Prizes

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

Permanent Collections

QT Hotel Christchurch, New Zealand
Glasmuseet, Ebeltoft, Denmark
National Glass Art Collection, Wagga Wagga, AU
Queensland Regional Art Gallery, Brisbane, AU
Museum of Northern Territory, Darwin, AU
Private Collections: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, USA, Canada, Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Czech Republic

Publications /Press

2020 Australian sculptor Society cove image, AU
2013 Australian Signatures, The national Art Glass Collection, page104, AU
2009 Ceramics, Glasswork & Pottery, Vol. 11.1, pages 18-20, AU
2006 Art of Glass, Glass Art Committee, China Craft Council Vol.18, pages 16 -25
2003 Craft Arts Magazine #57: The Glass Furnace, Turkey”, AU
2003 Horizon Magazine, Feb. Edition, AU
2000 Northern Beaches Journal, Autumn Edition, AU
1996 Australian Studio Glass “It’s Movement, It’s Makers and Their Art” Noris Ioannou, Craftsman House, AU
1986 Craft Australia Yearbook, AU
1997 Crafts Art International, Vol. 38, pages 68-67, AU
1996 Object Magazine Vol. 1, AU