|
Seekers Glass Gallery presents the work of Julie Nagesh,
who creates a series of original kiln-formed glass sculptures.
Julie uses ancient glassmaking techniques known to the
Egyptians and Persians around 4,000 to 5,000 years ago – at least 2,000
years before the advent of glassblowing by the Romans in the First
Century AD.
As Julie describes her work:” I work in kiln-formed
glass and have studied with many artists in the field. Because I am
always exploring and creating new techniques of my own, my work is
constantly evolving. I am inspired by nature; also the art, temples,
landscapes and clothing of Asia. I have traveled in India, China and
Japan, and influences of those countries often come through in my work.
I appreciate the Japanese quality of ‘shibui’ or simplicity, elegance
and economy in expression – both in art and in life.”
Julie begins each piece by hand cutting elements from
high quality sheet glass, chunks and powders. After she has cut and
arranged the glass elements in single sheet or the layers that will melt
and form her preconceived design, Julie places the glass in a kiln. She
states:” No paints or liquids are used. Each piece can be fired multiple
times with multiple layers of elements, and the firing schedules differ
depending on the effects to be achieved. The pieces are generally fired
3-12 times, with each firing taking 24 hours of longer.” Rough edges are
painstakingly belt-polished to a smooth shiny finish when the piece has
cooled.
Seekers has chosen Julie’s fused sculptures for their
superb quality and artistic excellence.
With the advent of glassblowing, the practice of
fusing and slumping, continued, but over the centuries became a dying
art form. It virtually disappeared during the Dark Ages. It was
rediscovered in 15th Century Italy during the Renaissance.
It never again regained the supremacy it had enjoyed prior to the
discovery of glassblowing. It is only since the early 20th
Century that fused and slumped glass has been rediscovered and revived
as a popular art form in its own right.
Julie Nagesh graduated from the University of Arizona
with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She established her studio on
2003, and has shown her work in fine galleries and juried exhibitions. |
