The Glass Garden by Emma Bourke
Emma Bourke, Knappa Beg, Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Mobile (085) 7514456.
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I am a visual artist working mainly in the medium of glass. My artistic practice is inspired by the natural environment where I spent my formative years in the west of Ireland. Beautiful wild flowers and plants surround the tranquil Irish countryside. Mystery emanates from the flourish attracting passers by to admire and sometimes collect these charming blossoms. Captivated by these enchanting plants I create collections of these wild flowers out of glass, eternally capturing their beauty. I graduated with Honours from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin and here I learned the techniques of glassblowing and hot sculpting. Self-taught in the technique of flameworking, I was able to translate these previously acquired skills to create work on the torch. Through extensive research and through trial and error I have taught myself how to create intricate flameworked flowers such as snow drops and daisies. The transparency of clear glass is intentionally maintained in order to heighten the ambiguity of an organic ecosystem. Adding a little colour to some petals allows each piece to become characteristically unique like the environment which inspires its conception. Already experienced as a solo exhibitionist and curator of a group exhibition at the Mad Art Gallery in Dublin, we will see Emma embark on further exciting exhibitions this year. In March 2011 she will show her work at The National Glass Centre in Sunderland, UK, in addition to curating a group glass exhibition at Signal Arts Centre in Bray, Co. Wicklow. She will also host a solo show here in 2011, coupled with another solo show at Custom House Studios in Westport, Co. Mayo. Viewers should seize any opportunity to view Emma Bourkes charming glasswork as she showcases her delicate craft across Ireland and the UK in the coming months.
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