- Summer Showcase
- New Work by Zest Gallery Artists
- 31st July to 30th August 2008
- Images
Zest Gallery, London’s destination for contemporary glass art, is thrilled to announce our forthcoming Summer Showcase with new work by Zest Gallery artists. Zest exhibits the work of emerging talent alongside established artists who are the best in their field. Zest runs varied and innovative events throughout the year, as well as offering visitors the chance to enjoy a fascinating insight into the skilled process of glass making in Adam Aaronson’s adjacent studio.
As the only gallery to represent renowned glass artist, Sam Herman, visitors to Zest will see work that represents a milestone in the international glass movement. Sam is a key figure in the history of studio glass. He was one of the first students of legendary American glass artist, Harvey Littleton and he introduced the concept of glass as an art form to the UK when he headed up the glass department at the Royal College of Art in London. Zest will feature a body of his early work alongside fascinating new pieces that mark his triumphant return to glass after a 15-year interval, presenting a rare opportunity to witness an influential career in glass that spans more than three decades.
Zest will also be showing new work by critically acclaimed artist Max Jacquard. His work was described as ‘a lyrical masterpiece, a deft blend of visual poetry, technical brilliance and deceptive simplicity’ by the UK Glass Biennale judges for “For My Lost Loves” (pictured), which won him the award in 2006; he co-founded New London Glass in 1998 and has been pivotal in the organisation of site-specific exhibitions in London. The V&A Museum, Broadfield House Glass Museum and The Shipley Museum of Applied Arts in the UK as well as the MAVA Museum in Alcorcon, Madrid, have acquired his work for their collections. Jacquard has established a strong reputation for innovation both in technique and conception that makes his work distinctive and unique amongst glass artists.
Katharine Coleman and Alison Kinnaird MBE are both masters in the traditional technique of copper wheel engraving. Their work, although very different in aesthetic, is currently the finest example of this dying art. Their pieces can be found in numerous major public and private collections over the world.
Adam Aaronson has been at the heart of UK studio glass for more than 25 years. His work has been exhibited all over the world and can be found in numerous private collections from royalty to rock stars. He will be showing two bodies of work at SOFA New York, ‘Reflections and Nocturnes’ and ‘Stone, Sail, Ripple, Wave’, both inspired by shapes and colors from the natural world.
Emerging artist Lucy Alexandra Batt has created a body of striking work that was a resounding success at two prestigious recent American art fairs. Lucy’s vessels are intricately carved with floral patterns that cut through one layer of glass to another, revealing hidden colours that shine from the surface below. Lucy’s work can function as an integrated part of a living space or simply as a beautiful artwork.
Naoko Sato creates remarkable glass sculptures that explore the fluid movement normally associated with textiles such as ripples, sways and folds. Her work, which is arresting and irresistibly tactile, has been acquired by some of the world’s most respected collections; the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, the British Crafts Council, and the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, UK.
Work by the critically acclaimed Tessa Clegg will be on show, which is created using the labour intensive lost wax techniques of casting glass to produce strong sculptural vessels. Her pieces are in numerous major public and private collections throughout the world.
Vic Bamforth’s charming vibrant style is instantly recognisable – his heavy blown vessels are the canvas for his charming and humorously painted scenes, full of English wit and quirkiness.
Layne Rowe focuses on making vessel forms that are inspired by nature, in particular the mysteries of sea and space. The works themselves have an exceptional clarity and focus, and Layne’s thoughtful approach to colour is evident in each piece.
“…the dishes made by Luana Adriani, which often bear sharp photographic images of women's faces, cut out with a scalpel and sandblasted. ‘I like building a bridge between this ancient medium and a modern, graphic style,’ Adriani says.” FT Weekend, November 2007
Entrance to the exhibition is free and all work is available to purchase.