Belt

Abstract

Chris Bird-Jones developed a series and then exhibited three glass/textile pieces, on the theme of the ‘Belt’ for the 7th Womens International Glass Network Exhibition, curated by Holly Sandford and Linda Chalmers, at the Lane Gallery. The Women’s Glass Network sustains dialogue that foregrounds experience and knowledge relative to practice. This includes observing and discussing the creative process of others as a key to developing tacit and technical knowledge. From this dialogue, Bird-Jones’ work stands out through her integration of Reusche enamels into the use of glass on textile objects to achieve special effects of colour and light. The glass components were painted and fired with Reusche enamels introduced by fellow-artist Marie Foucault-Phipps and predominantly used in restoration of stained glass. Through exploration of sample firings and finishes, trace colours were combined with silver nitrate. Bird-Jones developed an intricate pattern of filtered and coloured reflected light, characteristic of many of her works.