Colour and Light
Consider the fragile nature of glass as a medium for art - so fugitive and difficult in myriad ways, and how much more so are the complex demands of the art of glass engraving.
Practised since Roman times, this ancient craft bears a proud history and tradition, although, to a contemporary audience used to soundbites, this may be viewed as a disadvantage. It raises the question as to whether the increasing rarity of this artform is due to its technical demands or to the lack of a discerning audience?
I have absolutely no doubt that Alison Kinnaird, one of the world’s leading glass engravers is a great artist. Having made her name as one of the world’s foremost exponents of the Scottish harp, Alison has for nearly fifty years, pursued a parallel career as a glass engraver who is exceptional in both concept and execution. What sets her apart is her ability to convey layered depths of thoughtful and symbolic meaning through her virtuosity in both her chosen mediums.
Her pioneering and innovative approach has raised this artform to new and contemporary levels through her use of scale, ground-breaking techniques, integrated lighting and even sound on occasion. Her courage and breadth of ideas, her enduring themes that explore the human condition, give her artistic expression an ineffably timeless quality.
Alison enjoys the challenge of working to commission; insofar as these stretch the imagination and often give rise to new directions and remarkable solutions. Indeed, many of Alison’s finest works have been commissioned pieces for private and public spaces.
Peter LaytonAlison Kinnaird MBE
Engraving is often seen as small-scale and quiet. I love these qualities, but it is also satisfying to show that it can be vivid, brilliant and can take advantage of modern technology to express contemporary subjects.
We are proud to announce an exclusive showcase titled Colour and Light. This comprises a stunning collection of work by the engraver Alison Kinnaird, one of the world’s leading glass artists. We are exhibiting a diverse body of her work much of which has never been shown in England. Alison’s work in glass ranges from small intimate pieces to large scale architectural installations incorporating colour and light.
She has artworks in many public, private and indeed royal collections, throughout Europe, America and the Far East and is also among the world’s leading exponents of the Scottish Harp. As the recipient of numerous awards and the winner of many international competitions, her creative contribution was acknowledged in 1997, with an MBE for services to art and music.
Online Q&A with Alison Kinnaird
Hosted by Peter Layton
Wednesday 7 September at 6.30pm
London Glassblowing is excited to invite you to an online Q&A of the very talented Alison Kinnaird for her solo exhibition Colour and Light on Wednesday, 7 August at 6.30pm. This online event will be the perfect opportunity to ask Alison any questions you have about her new showcase, Light and Colour, as well as gaining more insight about the influences, processes and evolution of her artworks to date. Please RSVP using this form here
‘During lockdown I have found that it is important to create works that have a hopeful, positive message. The Butterflies are no longer pinned down, but are escaping from the confinement of their collection. After forty years working in this field, I still find excitement and challenges in the potential of the medium, and the messages that it has to offer us today’.
Alison Kinnaird
This piece has a programmed LED light, colours change, click here to watch
Butterlifes’
Optical glass, wheel engraved and sandblast, glass paint and steel mount
H40 x W26 x D13 cm
1.8kg
£2,125
‘Perhaps a reaction to the confines of lockdown, these butterflies are escaping from being pinned down in their collection’
Constellation
Wheel engraved optical glass, sandblasted, fused, LED light and steel mount
H46 x W26 x D13cm
WEIGHT
£2,200
‘The starry quality of the circular central image, is what suggested the subject of this panel. It is created by sandblasting the image onto 2 layers of optical glass, and fusing these together face to face, trapping hundreds of tiny bubbles which create this sparkling design’
H46 x W28 x D11cm
6.6kg
£5,625
‘Family relationships are often complicated and tangled, and Celtic knotwork seemed a good metaphor for this. I have combined it with designs referring to computer circuit boards which parallel the ancient maze patterns’
Wheel engraved optical glass, sandblasted, glass paint, LED light and steel mount
‘This is about how quickly people pass through each other’s lives these days. In the 14th century, the average person might have met 100 people in their lifetime. Now we meet as many in a few minutes. The portraits are based on lightning sketches that I did in the Subway in New York’
Wheel engraved glass
H120 x W60 x D1 cm 20kg
£11,225
This looks very contemporary, but the motifs in the background are adapted from carvings on the Neolithic tombs of Scotland and Irelandthey are calendars and star signs. People then were also trying to make sense of their universe.
‘In this panel, the astronomer looks through her telescope (a real lens) at the vast universe where time has no meaning’
‘The two years of lockdown seem to have shifted Alison’s focus of inspiration from the human figure, which has been her main subject, she is now taking a closer look at natural subjects. This panel and ‘Wild Strawberry’ were based on plants in her own garden’
Wheel engraved low iron glass, acrylic and steel stand H26 x W16 x D10cm 1.8kg £3,000
Wild Strawberry
Mirror Images
Wheel engraved low iron mirror glass, sandblasted and steel frame
H40 x W40 x D3 cm
2.4g
£1,200 each
Waiting IV
Wheel engraved and sandblasted. LED lighting
£1,125
44cm h x 12 w x 10 d 80kg
Waiting VI
Wheel engraved and sandblasted. LED lighting
£1,188
44cm h x 15 w x 10 d 1.65kg
“This series came from sketches that I do of fellow travelers. We are all waiting for someone or something...”
Waiting III - The Manhattan subway is particularly atmospheric. Alison has spent some time in NY over the past few years, and is always struck with the melting pot of people.
Waiting IV - Some people just sit and watch life pass them by.
Waiting VI - A brick wall of glass? Counting down until things change
Waiting III
Wheel engraved and sandblasted. LED lighting
£3,188
44cm h x 15 w x 10 d 1.65kg
London Glassblowing
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