Glass – LQ

Culture & Context

Plume I & II are experimentative processes that aim to show off the possibilities of glass making.

The intricacy in the lampworked glass feathers are intended to draw the viewers attention, bringing them closer to the work.

Process & Production

Plume I & II are made using two of the primary glass making techniques: Lampworking (also called flame working) and glass blowing. Glass blowing involves gathering molten glass on a blow pipe from a furnace, it is shaped and blown to create the final form. Lampworking, or flameworking involves melting and sculpting glass from coloured or clear preformed glass rods over a hot torch flame created using a combination of oxygen and a fuel (in this case, propane).

The artist has often combined these two processes before in their cold state, using different modes of construction, however, she has been researching different ways in which the two techniques can combine in their hot state. One of the main challenges that this combination process poses is the compatibility between the glass used in each technique, that is why they are rarely seen combined hot like this. Incompatibility causes cracking in the glass. For the creation of Plume I & II the glass used for the blown and lampworked forms is compatible. 

The research and making of this work was made possible through funding from the Royal Dublin Society Craft Bursary in association with the Design and Crafts Council Ireland which the artist won in 2022.