On Breath 2002 glass, lead
On Breath 2002
Seven glass pieces, lead, wood, 16 ft long x 4 ft x 14 inches
The relationship of body to breath, matter to spirit, is explored in this work through an attempt to make the invisible take visible form.
These glass forms are held in tension through the application of heat, cold, human breath and physical movement. They appear at different moments of contraction, expansion and transformation: are they a series of enunciations, vessels, skins, bodies or sacred objects?
On Breath was sited in the Triforium of Gloucester Cathedral, a space where traditionally women sat during services. The placing of the work sets up a relationship between the glass and lead of the sculpture and the cathedral windows. The shapes of the objects play upon the transformation of hot silica into ‘bullions’, expanding discs of material traditionally blown for use as stained glass.