Description

Summer Fields

Summer Fields is a landscape pot by Adam Aaronson, made in his studio in West Horsley. This complex, freeblown glass sculptural vessel is a triumph of composition. The surface is fired with pure silver leaf and textured coloured glass. This creates a dramatic, shimmering perspective.

Inspiration

“I like the ambiguity of colour and contrast. For example, a swathe of bright red in a landscape or sunset can be read as fire or flower by different viewers. Even though I give each artwork a title that reflects my own perception and inspiration, observers often find themselves recalling moments in time within their own “imaginary landscapes”.

Asked what makes one of his landscape bowls different from landscapes made by other glass artists, Adam replied

“It’s important to remember that different isn’t necessarily better. Every artist has their own style and the more you make, the more your work develops. I think that I approach glass from a different perspective, and perhaps that’s why some people have commented that my glass doesn’t always look like glass!”

Technique

First Adam chooses a palette of powdered glass colours. Next he lays them out so he can use these to reflect a landscape that he finds inspiring.

He applies layers of pure silver leaf, delicately adding the powdered colour, to create a soft luminosity. So at this point the silver becomes a canvas, because the colours will melt onto it. This helps to create the effects of light reflecting on seascapes or forest scenes, or perhaps a change in the seasons or dramatic skies.

The colours melt into the surface by a process of heating and reheating and this builds up unique tones and texture.

Summer Field is bright and colourful. Just what you need to cheer you up on a cold winter’s day! The reflections will change depending on where you place it. On a windowsill it will change throughout the day with the changes in daylight. It doesn’t need special lighting.