The commission
for George Abbot School was for six glass panels situated in
the internal windows next to the Science Lab. The brief for
the project was very open and provided a lot of freedom.
When embarking upon the initial design
it was decided to look at abstract notions of science and
modernity in order to link the work with its location. In
keeping with contemporary design work and the size of the
panels (each approximately 25cm x 25cm), no lead lines or
appliqué was used: each panel is one whole piece of
glass.
Images were designed to be relevant
in an establishment of growth and learning, reflecting modern
science and man's yearning to understand more.
After the initial designs were approved
by the School, a variety of fused glass and sandblasting methods
were developed and combined to create techniques that successfully
expressed the designs on paper in glass media.
'Flash' glass was chosen for all six
pieces. This type of glass is two layers of different coloured
glass rolled together to form one piece. For example a red
layer on a clear layer of glass looks red from both sides,
but sandblasting or etching through the red layer reveals
the clear glass beneath. Much of the design for this commission
involved digital images created using Photoshop. By sandblasting
through stencils, the digital effects could be successfully
replicated onto glass. Some of the panels consisted of two
layers of different flash glass superimposed on top of each
other, for example 'Lava Lamp', the inspiration for which
was the idea of blood cells under a microscope.
The panels were designed to symbolise
biology, chemistry and physics in an abstract art-infused
way. The six panels are displayed in a chequered composition
with a pane of clear glass between each design. Although they
are individual pieces in their own right, each one was designed
to flow into the next piece, drawing the eye around the six
panels to emphasise the link between them.
If you are interested in obtaining a piece of glasswork or would
like to discuss a commission please use the
contact
form or email info@galactic-faerie.co.uk
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