Merge is an exhibition of contemporary glass and ceramics by Frozen-Melt Collective, a group of three established Japanese Canadian artists: Naoko Takenouchi, Miyuki Shinkai, and HiDe Ebina.

Through their artwork, the artists re-imagine the issues of identity that arise from the merging of cultures: East and West, old and new, philosophy and technology.

Naoko Takenouchi’s work explores the issues of identity and relationships in society. Takenouchi completed a four-year degree course in design and glassblowing at Tama Art University in Tokyo, and attended the New York Experimental Glass Workshop. She then continued her work at the Swedish Center Foundation and at New-Small & Sterling Studio in Vancouver, B.C. She was a scholarship student at Pilchuck Glass School in 1993 and 1998.

Her work was included in New Glass Review 16 and the 1995 International Exhibition of Glass in Kanazawa.

She has received many awards in Canada and was commissioned to create the Governor General’s Performing Art’s Awards from 2003 to 2006.

Miyuki Shinkai was born and raised in Japan. Before settling down with her family in Gibsons B.C., she had travelled extensively and earned a master’s degree in social administration and glass blowing in the U.S. She has been making art and blowing glass for 11 years. She attended Pilchuck Glass School and worked for Dale Chihuly in Seattle.

"I have been experimenting in many ways to share both the material beauty and the peaceful quality of the glass medium by creating works of art ranging from those on an intimate scale to large dynamic works for exhibitions at various art galleries and museums throughout North America," she said.

Hidenori (HiDe) Ebina has worked with clay for 18 years and as a professional studio potter in Vancouver B.C. since 1995. Although he studied under various masters in Japan the art of functional pottery, he is largely self-taught.

He constantly challenges his creativity through his experimentations with form and material, combining the traditional elements of Japanese ceramics with contemporary sensibilities.