PRESS RELEASE
FIGURED
OUT
An exhibition of
figurative glass art by
Luana Adriani, Vic
Bamforth, Tillie Burden and Alison Kinnaird
19th September
to 20th October 2007
ZeST Gallery, London's top destination for
contemporary glass art, is showcasing the work of four glass artists whose work
is inspired by the human figure. The pieces in Figured Out illustrate how each artist's use of
different techniques and narrative content results in work that highlights the
versatility of glass as a medium and the human form as subject.
Alison Kinnaird has been engraving glass
for more than 30 years. She was awarded an MBE in 1997 for her services to art
and music, and is also the recipient of numerous artistic accolades, including
the Creative Scotland Award.
The groundbreaking work in Figured
Out shows
Alison's progression from traditional copper-wheel engraving as a small-scale,
intimate endeavour to an exciting
technique for large-scale installation using dichroic colour and optical fibre
lighting.
The exacting and
time-consuming copper-wheel technique inspires her work and the endeavour
becomes a meditative pursuit of perfection. The human figure remains the main
subject of the pieces, for which glass is an ideal medium – its
transparency and mirror surfaces give different insights on the human
condition:
'Often I use the glass in its character of a window or
a doorway, sometimes to suggest isolation or entrapment, sometimes with the
figures poised between two worlds. Sometimes they confront an opposite or a
mirror image.'
Alison Kinnaird
Vic Bamforth has only been working in
glass since 2000, but has already developed a vibrant and recognisable
style. Vic uses his glass blowing
skills to make heavy blown vessels, which become a glass canvas, and with
high-firing enamel paints he uses his skills as a painter to create humorous
and colourfully captured scenes from everyday life.
Luana Adriani comes to glass from a background in
graphic design and uses sandblasting and diamond-point engraving as a means of
bringing glass to life. Her portraits depict women who are mysterious, wistful
and romantic, waiting to be discovered.
Tillie Burden trained in hot-glass in her
native Australia, and has travelled to glass blowing studios all over the
world, including working in Adam Aaronson's studio adjacent to ZeST
Gallery. Her pieces reduce the
human form to the most simple elements, but are instantly recognisable,
bringing a smile to the soul.
ZeST Gallery brings outstanding British
and international glass to a wider audience through an exciting, changing
exhibition programme alongside an extensive permanent collection of Adam
Aaronson's own work.
Visitors are also able to tour the
adjacent glass studio, where Adam makes his critically acclaimed work, and will
enjoy a fascinating insight into the skilled process of glass making.
Entrance is free and all designs are
available to buy from ZeST Gallery.
For images, artist biographies or further information
on the exhibition or Aaronson Noon Glass Studio please contact Nell Reid on 020
7610 1900 or email nell@zestgallery.com
ZeST Gallery is open:
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm
Notes to editors:
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.
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 / 020 7610 1900.