Glass is commonly associated with elegance and beauty, yet it also evokes fragility—the sense that it can shatter at the slightest touch. In her exhibition “The Bright Women” at Bode gallery, artist Layo Bright dismantles this very misconception, transforming glass into a material that proves women’s resilience and strength. Roughly a decade after migrating from Nigeria to the United States, Bright’s exhibition reflects the enduring bond she maintains with her mother and sister—despite the geographic distances that separate them.
Bright actively rejects the stereotype that women are inherently fragile. Instead, she presents her glass portraits as a tribute to their dignity, beauty, strength, grace, and courage. The artist challenges the traditional, male-gaze-driven narratives surrounding the concept of the “muse.” Her portraits celebrate women existing on their own terms of autonomy and self-determination. To achieve this, Bright uses life casts taken directly from the women as they sit for her—an intimate and powerful gesture that recontextualizes the visibility and agency of women from the African diaspora.
The Language of Flowers and Transformation
The flowers surrounding these glass portraits are far more than decoration; they carry profound meaning. They are a blend of local and indigenous blooms that symbolize the different geographic places and pivotal life moments these women have traversed. According to Bright, despite the physical distance between them, these women continue to “bloom” in one another’s lives.
With a background in law (LL.B. from Babcock University, Nigeria) and fine arts (MFA from Parsons School of Design), Layo Bright has carved a distinctive place for herself in contemporary glass art. She has completed residencies at prestigious institutions such as the Corning Museum of Glass and is a recipient of the Beyoncé Formation Finalist Scholarship.
Artist: Layo Bright (b. 1991, Nigeria)
Exhibition: The Bright Women
Venue: Bode, Berlin
Dates: December 5, 2025 – January 24, 2026
