Just Curls, a striking glass artwork by Wolfgang Mueller, is a deeply symbolic and visually mesmerizing addition to the Woman 2025 international exhibition—presenting not only technical excellence, but also a profound meditation on femininity, complexity, and identity. The work exudes timeless elegance and dynamic energy, resonating powerfully with the exhibition’s theme: a celebration of the multifaceted essence of womanhood in contemporary times.

Rendered entirely in colored sheet glass and mounted within a wooden frame, Just Curls is more than a portrait; it is a sculptural symphony of color, form, and emotion. The artist, who immigrated to the United States as a child refugee post-World War II and built a lifelong career in design and fine art, channels his lifetime of experiences into this work, weaving resilience, beauty, and individuality into every curve.

Mueller’s depiction of a female face in profile, gracefully uplifted and encased in waves of vividly colored curls, is as evocative as it is technical. Each “curl” has been kiln-fired twice to achieve its distinct shape, giving the composition a layered three-dimensional presence. These curls, flowing like a vibrant cascade, suggest not only physical beauty but also emotional depth—each hue perhaps a metaphor for thoughts, emotions, and lived experiences that together construct the identity of a woman.

The color composition is unrestrained and celebratory—radiant reds, bold blues, playful greens, and soft, luminous hues interlace in rhythmic harmony. This chromatic burst does not overwhelm but rather enhances the elegance of the white face emerging from the abstract mass, serene and empowered. Mueller masterfully frames the visage within a subtle red-lined box, creating a visual tension between freedom and containment—an intentional reflection, perhaps, on the social boundaries often imposed on women versus their inner universes of creativity and strength.

What sets Just Curls apart is the tactile, sculptural quality achieved through Mueller’s impeccable technique. The glass not only shines but breathes; its layered textures and shadows shift with the light, engaging the viewer in a dialogue of discovery. The choice of glass, a medium both fragile and enduring, becomes metaphorical—echoing the dual strength and vulnerability often found in the female experience.

Despite the artist’s statement that titles are not essential, Just Curls is perfectly named, offering a lighthearted yet intimate point of entry into the work’s more serious emotional undertones. The curls become more than hair—they are thoughts, memories, and identities unfurling without apology. In Just Curls, Wolfgang Mueller showcases not only his refined craftsmanship and love of experimentation but also his singular artistic voice—one rooted in resilience, discovery, and a quiet reverence for form. In Woman 2025, Mueller’s work resonates as a luminous exploration of identity, form, and feeling—an artwork that invites contemplation, celebrates individuality, and honors the spirit of womanhood through glass.

Explore more of Wolfgang Mueller’s vision on his Instagram page and view his full artist profile on Biafarin.