PRESS RELEASE
GLASS WEAR
An exhibition of contemporary glass jewellery
Part of Coutts London Jewellery Week
11th June to 19th July 2008
Zest Gallery will be celebrating creative excellence with Glass Wear, an exhibition showcasing the work of a select group of jewellers who explore the wonderful medium of glass. The exhibition is one of a number of events at Zest as part of Coutts London Jewellery Week, including:
Glass Wear Artist Talks
Thursday 12th June, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Five glass artists talk about what inspires their jewellery, the medium of
glass, the techniques they use and their work showcased in the Glass Wear
exhibition at Zest.
Make Your Own Glass Pendant
Saturday 14th June, 11am to 4pm
Visit Aaronson Noon Glass Studio adjacent to Zest Contemporary Glass Gallery to
make your own glass pendant. Choose your colour and manipulate the glass to
your own design... with a little bit of specialist help!
The Glass Wear exhibition highlights the versatility of handmade glass from Jane Dorner's pat de verre techniques to Sue Shaw's use of heat-sculpted glass.
Sue ShawÕs neckpieces and earrings are an intriguing and rare combination of heat-sculpted glass and electroformed metals, which are flameworked, electroplated and often gilded to create rich yet subtle tones. Sue was inspired to work with glass after visiting a glass cosmetic bottle manufacturer, starting her training at the then West Surrey College of Art & Design. She subsequently went to the Gullaskru Glass Studio in Sweden, followed by a postgraduate year at the International Glass Centre in the West Midlands. The body of work shown at Zest was awarded 'The Most Innovative Product' at the British Craft Trade Fair, has been shown on BBC televisions Collectors Lot and resulted in commissions from companies such as Amgen, Cable & Wireless and Sony.
Brett Manley works using kiln formed glass techniques. She loves experimenting with the unexpected quirks that working with glass throws up, using the magical nature of glass by layering the glass to show the spaces in between, within and between the glass surfaces. Brett studied at Central Saint Martins, completing a post-graduate course in 2004 and her work now forms part of the St. Martins collection.
Jane Dorner is a 'mid-career-change artist', coming to glass from a long career in publishing. Before landing her first job as an editor, Jane studied at Hornsey Art School with the acclaimed jeweller, Gerda Flockinger. She is now doing an MA in Glass at the University College for the Creative Arts, Farnham, Surrey. Her work is derived from an interest in the unseen fragility of the construction of the human body. Jane uses p‰te de verre techniques to create delicately beautiful, but surprisingly robust jewellery.
Jed Green designs and makes jewellery using silver and glass. Inspired by the fragility and lightness of the glass, supported or linked with silver, she creates innovative, contemporary pieces. Jed is a graduate of The Slade School of Fine Art where she took a MA in printmaking having completed a BA in fine art. After seeing her sculptures scaled down in slides and realising a change in direction was developing, she re-trained in order to translate her ideas into jewellery.
Dave Pastoe works with kiln glass techniques in his studio in West Cornwall, his glass jewellery evolving directly from his larger scale work. He combines opaque and transparent glass to create unique designs, which are particularly influenced by the forms and colours he encountered while working as a fisherman in Cornwall.
'Through many years of living,
working and playing on the Cornish coast, I have developed an intimate
understanding of the processes that continue to shape the environment around
us. I am particularly interested in structures that appear in nature, for
example rock strata, and how these structures can be incorporated into my work.'
Marion Sterner is German by birth but now lives and works in Venice, where she moved in 1989. Working with glass gives Marion the possibility to combine a spirit of research and curiosity with the immediate and touchable expression of fantasy and tactile pleasure. Working with glass allows her to realise whatever structure, colour or shape comes to mind. Her challenge is to continuously discover new technical skills to combine with her creative ideas.
Entrance to the exhibition is free and all work is available to buy from Zest Gallery.
Zest Gallery is internationally recognised as London's destination for contemporary glass. Founded in 2003, Zest brings outstanding British and international glass to a wider audience through an exciting exhibition programme.
The gallery showcases the work of emerging talent alongside established artists who are the best in their field. Zest runs varied and innovative events throughout the year, as well as offering visitors the chance to enjoy a fascinating insight into the skilled process of glass making in Adam Aaronson's adjacent glass studio.
For images, artist biography or further information on the exhibition, Zest Gallery or Aaronson Noon Glass Studio please contact Nell Reid on +44 (0) 20 7610 1900 or email nell@zestgallery.com
Zest Gallery is open:
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm
Notes to editors:
Zest Gallery
Zest Gallery opened in September 2003 to exhibit cutting edge contemporary glass art. It showcases the work of renowned glass artists as well as new faces on the scene.
Aaronson Noon Glass Studio
Adam Aaronson's studio runs half-day glass blowing courses offering an exciting and intensive experience aimed at introducing beginners or novices to the wonders of hot glass. Further information available from nell@zestgallery.com / +44 (0)20 7610 1900.
Adam Aaronson
For more than 25 years, aside from making his own glass, Adam Aaronson has been discovering and promoting emerging artists, including many who are now established glass artists, such as Tessa Clegg, Anna Dickinson and many others. He has always offered residencies and internships to both British and international artists and continues to support new glass talent by working collaboratively with artists, encouraging their use of hot glass in his studio.