artist statement

The 'Vase, Bottle, Bowl' series is deeply rooted in the history of the decorative or applied arts and the examination of the object, particularly the vessel. I am interested in the ‘essential’ object, reducing the vessel to its central and fundamental parts and attributes. If I were to pick an adjective to describe this work, it might be 'formal’. As well as abstracting the vessel and presenting its elemental nature, it is also important as to how composition, colour, light, proportion, and the juxtaposition of positive and negative space, work within and around the object or group of objects to create a resolved statement.

On the other hand, the 'House' series, currently evolving through a combination of glassmaking, drawing and text, explores a more personal concern related to landscape and loss in a particular place. In what became known as the Clearances, (1760-1830), the Highlands of Scotland were emptied and became a wilderness. Even today, with many ruined crofts still dotting the Caithness landscape, there continues to be a strong sense of loss and desolation in this place. Inspired by this history and what remains, the current house forms seek to evoke thoughts of loss, the past and what might have been.

The 'Vase, Bottle, Bowl' series and 'House' series were made through the Portland fabrication Studio Ramp. Working with Studio Ramp opened up new and unexpected directions in my practice. It afforded me the opportunity to move from one process, blowing, to another, kilnforming, enabling me to expand and develop ideas unrestricted by technique. It also provided the time to move from one media, glass, to another, drawing, permitting the development of works on paper that open up and compliment the ideas produced in glass.

The recent ‘Brooch’ series came about through a renewed interest in mark making and design. The Brooches are about making something small in scale, out of a non-precious material, that is worthy of notice. These are objects of pure pleasure that decorate and embellish the wearer.

Jane Bruce

December 2012





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	artist statement The 'Vase, Bottle, Bowl' series is deeply rooted in the history of the decorative or applied arts and the examination of the object, particularly the vessel. I am interested in the ‘essential’ object, reducing the vessel to its central and fundamental parts and attributes. If I were to pick an adjective to describe this work, it might be 'formal’. As well as abstracting the vessel and presenting its elemental nature, it is also important as to how composition, colour, light, proportion, and the juxtaposition of positive and negative space, work within and around the object or group of objects to create a resolved statement. On the other hand, the 'House' series, currently evolving through a combination of glassmaking, drawing and text, explores a more personal concern related to landscape and loss in a particular place. In what became known as the Clearances, (1760-1830), the Highlands of Scotland were emptied and became a wilderness. Even today, with many ruined crofts still dotting the Caithness landscape, there continues to be a strong sense of loss and desolation in this place. Inspired by this history and what remains, the current house forms seek to evoke thoughts of loss, the past and what might have been. The 'Vase, Bottle, Bowl' series and 'House' series were made through the Portland fabrication Studio Ramp. Working with Studio Ramp opened up new and unexpected directions in my practice. It afforded me the opportunity to move from one process, blowing, to another, kilnforming, enabling me to expand and develop ideas unrestricted by technique. It also provided the time to move from one media, glass, to another, drawing, permitting the development of works on paper that open up and compliment the ideas produced in glass. The recent ‘Brooch’ series came about through a renewed interest in mark making and design. The Brooches are about making something small in scale, out of a non-precious material, that is worthy of notice. These are objects of pure pleasure that decorate and embellish the wearer. Jane Bruce December 2012

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