Grey Stop Trio by Rachel Elliot
Grey Stop Trio by Rachel Elliot
£750.00
A hybrid form of Pâte de Verre is used to create the initial shell structure before sintering in the kiln and then refined by hand carving. This pile of glass dust is then encased with larger frit, seemingly protecting the fragile forms inside, whilst resisting crushing it.
This grouping has a silent dialogue between the nautilus structures, their hollow chambers echoing an unknown relationship allowing the viewer to draw close and bring their own imaginings.
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.
The Nautilus 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.
