Exhibition

'Paper and Glass'

An exhibition of works on paper and kiln formed glass by

   Jenny Burnett & Christine Hannan 

PAPER: Spending time sitting still and focusing on drawing trees in the environment that formed them – whether in the Victorian Mallee or the highlands of Tasmania – creates a unique opportunity for observing and contemplating the life and sounds of the bush. This is what I care about and what enriches my life.

Jenny Burnett





GLASS: My work is inspired by the landscapes in which I reside. I am primarily concerned with the patterns that naturally form in my environment. These patterns emerge from the repetition of forms and lines. They are constantly changing, molded by natural forces including wind, tide, and growth. These patterns ripple on the surface of the water, they are the ridged contours of costal sand, rock faces eroded by rivulets of rain and decayed, weathered trees trunks.

I can see a parallel between the way our natural environment changes and the techniques I use with glass in my studio. By heating and cooling the glass, I am employing forces to control the changes made to the glass. However, I can only direct the glass to do what it will naturally do. I work within the boundaries of my material. Therefore, I embrace the properties of glass in my creative direction.

The texture, colour, light and shadow of my landscapes are built up through a series of overlaid patterns. I make the fragile layers of glass separately and fuse them together in my kiln. The transparency of glass allows for glimpses of the separate layers to be seen.

The horizontal lines in my work imbue a sense of calmness and stillness. These lines break the colour and texture into sections. In doing this, my work critiques how the existence of a horizon line creates a landscape. The presence of a horizontal line shifts my work from constructing patterns, to locating these patterns within landscape.

Throughout this series I have been examining the question, how does the use of horizontal lines transform my work from abstract depictions of patterns, to increasingly realistic representations of the natural landscapes I encounter.

Christine Hannan