Sculptor, curator, and visual artist Martha Glowacki creates meticulous works that explore the intersection of the natural world, scientific history, and Victorian material culture. Glowacki is known for her interdisciplinary work that combines her personal art practice with an ongoing commitment to building the Wisconsin visual arts community. Her sculptures often blend an interest in the history of science, museums, and technology with a deep love and concern for nature. She is particularly well known for complex, site-specific installation projects such as Starry Transit (2005), an immersive work housed in the dome of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s historic Washburn Observatory. Living and working on the edge of the Driftless Area near Sauk City, Glowacki draws inspiration from the physical landscape of Wisconsin. Her work acts as a bridge between the arts and sciences, frequently utilizing historical scientific instruments and Victorian-era display techniques to explore how humans perceive and document the environment. As a curator and artist, she has been a tireless advocate for the regional arts scene, fostering collaborations that demonstrate the power of the visual arts to explain and preserve the world around us.
