2014 Degree Show - Final Project - project research
World War Two : Panel 6, after kiln firing
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Research2014 marks the centenary of the start of the First World War, which is the focus of the first half of my narrative.
In the context of the story I have aimed to tell, I wanted to create a period feel (from the Edwardian era to post-World War Two) and a sombre mood, powerful, moving, respectful - yet also personal to my family’s story. I want the piece to be commanding and relatively large-scale within the scope of the exhibition area, something that will absorb the viewer. Ethel’s diaries are key to understanding this tale, but I have decided not to include them in the piece itself; rather, I have created a separate book to accompany the artwork, which will contain the full text and some postcards, and and will be displayed alongside. |
I hope this adds a layer of interest to the work and make for a more fully rounded submission, without diluting or confusing the main piece. As I researched my project further, I decided to trim as much ‘excess’ as possible, to be economical and sparing, whilst still conveying the power and emotion of the story.
As inspiration for large-scale work, I have been looking at contemporary artists like Robert Montgomery, Ryan Everson, Dustin Yellin, April Surgent and Carrie Iverson. I have also looked to David Peace, Sally Scott, Peter Furlonger and Denis Brown for inspiration into more classical forms of calligraphy on glass (Peace was a major influence in the mid-20th century on the use of lettering as the sole feature of glass decoration).
As inspiration for large-scale work, I have been looking at contemporary artists like Robert Montgomery, Ryan Everson, Dustin Yellin, April Surgent and Carrie Iverson. I have also looked to David Peace, Sally Scott, Peter Furlonger and Denis Brown for inspiration into more classical forms of calligraphy on glass (Peace was a major influence in the mid-20th century on the use of lettering as the sole feature of glass decoration).
Techniques
I have aimed to use a combination of architectural and warm glass techniques to relate the tale. Over the past two years, the methods I have preferred and enjoyed the most include fusing and slumping, printing, painting and layering (with frits and enamels), engraving and sandblasting (using mirrored glass), stained glass elements and, more recently, flame-working practices. I’m extremely interested in using 'letterforms': text, typography, calligraphy; and how these are used in glass art. I’m interested in form and function of letters: shape, layout and aesthetics, not just the words. I envisage a blend of lettering and imagery to relate my great aunt’s story. I would also like to compare opacity and transparency, using sandblasting.
In particular, I have used printing and layering techniques to create a kind of Edwardian ‘decoupage’ effect. I have been researching antique Edwardian room divider screens, particularly those decorated with decoupage. I want to draw upon these forms as an inspiration and backdrop for my piece. There will be eight separate glass panels in the piece, each united by a common image which will link the screen frames together, in the manner of a ‘triptych’. I am having the screen made by a local carpenter in tulip wood, with sturdy base, riser hinges for easy dismantling, rebates for the panels to fit into, and glazing bars for safe mounting of the glass.
In particular, I have used printing and layering techniques to create a kind of Edwardian ‘decoupage’ effect. I have been researching antique Edwardian room divider screens, particularly those decorated with decoupage. I want to draw upon these forms as an inspiration and backdrop for my piece. There will be eight separate glass panels in the piece, each united by a common image which will link the screen frames together, in the manner of a ‘triptych’. I am having the screen made by a local carpenter in tulip wood, with sturdy base, riser hinges for easy dismantling, rebates for the panels to fit into, and glazing bars for safe mounting of the glass.