Tracy Nicholls Glass

Process & Production

‘Glow‘ is a large, delicate, glowing vessel of glass made using the Pate de Verre technique. An individual, one-off mould is made using a refractory mix and packed with a paste of crushed glass. After undergoing several kiln firings the mould is removed to reveal the delicate, eggshell thin glass vessel. It is carefully cleaned, sandblasted and sealed before many layers of metal leaf are applied to the interior – the reflective interior curves creating opportunities for light to bounce around and produce the ‘glow’.

The Aulisca series is made by fusing delicate lines of glass multiple times, with extensive cold work taking place between each firing. The two fused halves are finally slumped to create the desired shape and form. Once sandblasted the intricate pieces are sewn together using thin lengths of thread, this contrast of colour and material joining each of the fifteen points where the glass halves meet and forming a striking web through the centre of each sculpture.

‘Diapheneity VIII’ The two mirror image panels are created by carefully hand cutting sheet glass. This is arranged in the kiln and fused in two firings to achieve the desired design. A further slump firing forms the undulations in the lattice area. to finish the panels are ground and sandblasted before being mounted on a walnut base.