A Common Thread: Invited Artists 2024
In an exciting collaboration with the Fifteen x Fifteen Exhibition, Blowfish Gallery is proud to present a parallel exhibit featuring the remarkable works of three invited artists: Joanna Manousis, Kira Phoenix K’Inan, and Elliot Walker.
Kira Phoenix K’inan stands out with her exquisite blend of fine art and craft, crafting glass sculptures and works on paper from her London studio. Her art is renowned for its vibrant colour palette and dynamic lines that intertwine seamlessly, creating a captivating visual experience.
Kira Phoenix K’inan captivates audiences globally, her works residing in homes and commercial spaces across the UK, Scandinavia, and the USA. She has exhibited nationally, such as in prestigious events like the Bullseye Glass Competition and London Craft Week, her art redefines the boundaries of glass sculpture and continues to inspire and intrigue.
Kira’s artistic journey began in the vibrant artist community of Lamma Island, Hong Kong, where she spent her formative years exploring and fuelling her creative curiosity. Since 2020, her work has evolved through series like Glass Ishihara, Constructure, and Superposition, each series delving deeper into the interplay of colour and form.
One of Kira’s most intriguing creations is the Superposition series. This collection of free-standing glass sculptures explores the intriguing transparency of fused glass layers.
Each piece, with its translucent beauty, interacts delicately with light, reflecting and refracting colours to create stunning visual effects.
The term ‘superposition’ perfectly encapsulates the intent behind these works—placing layers to coincide and create new visual dimensions. Inspired by a song title, the series exemplifies the harmony found when individual components come together seamlessly.
Explore Kira’s full range of works online via our new exhibition page.
Joanna Manousis, a distinguished British-American artist, uses glass and mixed media to explore the complex tapestry of human nature.
Her art delves into the dichotomy between our internal reality and the world we inhabit, often highlighting themes of decadence and the ephemeral nature of luxury against the backdrop of mortality. Manousis invites viewers to engage with her work on both a literal and philosophical level, reflecting on growth, emotional depth, aspirations, and the inevitability of death.
One of Manousis’s notable creations, ‘Bottled Pear’ (No.10), encapsulates her artistic philosophy. This piece, crafted from cast and blown glass alongside hand-polished bronze, evokes the concept of memory and perception. A bronze pear, representing spoiled fruit, rests beneath a branch above a decanter, encapsulating the fleeting essence of memories and their impact on our perception. The creation of ‘Bottled Pear (No.10)’ involves intricate techniques, including core-casting with blown glass and lost-wax casting in bronze. The negative space within the bottle, achieved through a meticulous casting process, creates the illusion of a liquid-filled vessel, merging artistry with craftsmanship.
Explore Manousis’ available work with Blowfish Glass online via our new exhibition page.
Elliot Walker’s Biochromatic collection is a testament to his creativity, blending European baroque floral motifs with Venetian chandelier elements. Each piece in this series is meticulously crafted, featuring delicate flowers nestled among ornate leaves and supported by metal fittings. The use of a singular glass colour enhances the dramatic effect, creating a timeless visual experience where light plays upon reflective surfaces, revealing subtle colour shifts.
Simon Bruntnell Photography
Elliot Walker specialises in sculpting molten glass at high temperatures, a process demanding unmatched dexterity and precision.
From Elliot’s early days in the Historic Glass Quarter of Stourbridge to establishing his own studio with Bethany, founder of Blowfish Glass, Walker’s journey is one of continuous refinement in glass. His dedication to his craft and storytelling through glass continues to inspire and captivate, making Elliot Walker one of the most exciting artists of his generation.
Explore Elliot’s latest instalment in his Biochromatic Bloom series here.
Enter the Invited Artists exhibition here.
