Swirl

Rachel initially studied Architectural Glass at Edinburgh College of Art, graduating in 2007. Since then, she established her own kiln-forming studio and continues to increase her curiosity about this material. She has exhibited in group shows across the world, including the British Glass Biennale and The Coburg Glass Prize.

 

Her work is primarily representational as she thrives in the technical challenges in capturing exact details in glass with the unexpected troubleshooting element keeping her constantly engaged with the material. Through this precision she attempts to explore contrasting concepts of fragility both within herself and the natural world around us. 

 

This series of sculptures aim to showcase the intricate structure of the nautilus shell, nature referencing mathematics with the scaled increase of each hollow chamber. The encasement of the shell within further loose particles of glass draws parallels from fossil excavation, playing with the role of the negative rock that is broken open to reveal the discovery inside. Like some kiln casting molds, discarded but an essential part of the process. From a more emotional stance the pieces are a quiet reflection on the varying feelings and experiences of isolation, containment and distancing that much
of the world has endured recently. 

 

A hybrid form of pâte de verre is used to create the initial shell pieces as glass powder and water is packed into various handmade silicone molds and frozen in place in a freezer. Without any refractory material, these forms are more sintered that fused in the kiln at low temperature and then hand carved to refine the shapes. New experimentation with developing this technique and a contrasting encasement of these piles of dust with larger and heavier chunks of glass requires supporting separating materials to protect from the fusing heat without destroying the fragile forms inside.
 

 

Pâte De Verre Soda Glass

9.5x9.5x3.5cm