Cold Constructed Glass

Culture & Context

My work has evolved through my research of how women’s positions in Western society have been constructed through concepts of female empowerment, objectification and suppression.

I have contextualised these ideas with the use of iconography, symbolism and textual materials, each denoting specific male and female societal roles. This material both amalgamates and juxtaposes the traditionally gendered elements of weaponry and cosmetics.

Process & Production

This piece is composed of a number of different glass components. Some components were formed in the hotshop and some components were formed out of waste bottles. After selecting the elements for my design I began refining their forms and shapes in my cold glass studio.

I measured and marked up the glass with callipers and a wax pencil. I cut them on the saw and ground them flat and smooth on the flatbed grinder with a range of silicon carbide grits. I also used a belt sander with a range of sandpapers to achieve the desired shapes and sizes. Each piece was polished with a cork belt on the belt sander or a range of polishing wheels and pumice on the lathe.

In order to construct the elements together they are glued in stages with a range of glues. Each piece was cleaned with methylated spirits to remove dust, wax and markers. The clear transparent pieces were glued using a UV glass glue. The glue was applied sparingly and spread with a cocktail stick. The glass was then exposed to sunlight or a UV lamp and allowed time to cure. The UV glue usually sets in 15 seconds. Any excess was removed with a scalpel blade and methylated spirits.

The opaque and dark coloured glass pieces were fixed with a two part epoxy. Equal parts of resin and hardener were mixed on a glass tile for 30 seconds. The glue mixture was then applied sparingly to the glass and spread with a cocktail stick. These pisces were pressed together and held in place with tape and props. This glue usually takes 2 hours to cure. Any excess glue was removed with a scalpel blade and either methylated spirits or cellulose thinners.