My Art Work

What do I do?
I create unique objects using a variety of materials. Most of the objects I make are not functional items, with the exception of my jewelry pieces. Much of my works are decorative objects, such as wall-hanging pieces and small sculptural works. Since my background is in metal art, specifically jewelry design, and I love to sew, I incorporate many different kinds of materials and found objects into my works. I pay great attention to details and enjoy using colors whenever I can. I use folding as a means to achieve interesting forms and design.

My past experience
I suspect that whatever happens in the past affects my design and thinking in my work. Since I was raised in a Chinese cultural environment, my work reflects that. However, since receiving my art education in the United States, I have become open to many different cultures. I feel closer to folk and traditional art, especially Native American art. Beautiful natural forms intrigue me, especially plants, flowers, insects, fish and rocks.
A lasting impression was formed when I helped my grandmother fold hundreds of paper ingots from joss paper for ceremonial practices. This experience also allowed me to develop the dexterity to handle very small forms. The practice of calligraphy that my father insisted I learn every summer when I was young instilled a sense of beauty in the fluidity of movement of lines, spatial balance of forms and composition in my mind. When I entered high school, my proficiency tests indicated my strength was in mathematics. Therefore I have mathematics and science background as well, all the way through college. I chose to go back to college to learn as much as I could about basic art skills, and ended up with a BFA, MA and MFA degrees.

Where does my inspiration come from?
I believe that inspiration comes and goes through our daily exposure to feelings and forms-if we don't intentionally capture them and develop them, they are lost. By looking at a good work of art can inspire me greatly. Sometimes just to have some very quiet time by myself allows me to be creative. The process itself sometimes generates further inspirations for new ideas. Sometime I feel that the hand activities and the mind feed each other. Sharing my work and being appreciated by fellow artists and friends provide me with a greater incentive to pursue my creativity.

What do I think of my work place?
I do not have a studio, but I do occupy my dining room, which has windows facing east and a set of patio doors on the south when I work. I love to be surrounded by lights, day and night. It is my place to dream, to restore my mind. I prefer total stillness when I think, but once I have things figured out I can work my pieces anywhere I go. I sometime work in the car when my husband is driving long distance to visit my daughter. Or, I sometimes do work during the time when I have no visitor at a real estate open house.

What do art activities do to me?
I think I take refuge in my work. I know I can re-energize myself when I create. I look forward to times of solitude and the uplifting experience when I can advance a level higher in my work, whether it is mastering a new trick to solve a difficult problem and discovering a new way of using some material or just finding a new way to look at things that are quite ordinary.

How do I work?
Most of my work is three-dimensional. When I have an idea, I try to figure out any perceived problem and I usually go directly to the material itself. With exception of complicated jewelry, I very seldom sketch my works before I actually create them.

My feelings for my future
At this point of my art career, I feel very confident. I can put more time in my work now. I have been fairly successful in getting one-person shows nationally and internationally. I want to continue to produce unique one-of-a-kind pieces. I want to be free to create whatever I feel like creating.

Brief History - About the Artist
Nancy Loo Bjorge was born in Shanghai and raised in Hong Kong. She received her studio art education from Eastern Michigan University She completed an MA and an MFA at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Her work has been exhibited in one-person shows nationwide. In 2004 she had a solo exhibition in Eutin, Germany. She has also been invited to show her work at art organizations such as the Lawrence Art Center in Lawrence, Kansas, where she currently resides.

Nancy's ability to create unique and expressive forms in paper is rooted in the Chinese tradition of paper folding, something she learned as a child. In her artwork, which includes not only paper-folding designs, but also jewelry and sculpture, she reveals a keen sensitivity to colors, forms and the depth of shapes and shadow play.