Ancient Tree Series – Larch Grove, Littlebredy
The head of the River Bride fills a lake at Littlebredy, which then overflows through a waterfall, and there is an ancient grove of larch trees adjacent. These beautiful larches have boughs that extend away from the original trunks and touch the ground before growing up again. Trees are said to ‘walk’ in this way. The way the larch branches undulate up and down reminds me of a musical score. Like yew trees, the bark can sometimes appear a deep pink colour.
The process of creating the work is as follows: a painting in glass enamels onto glass is constructed and fired in a kiln in successive layers in response to an experience of a visit to a specific place, in this case, an encounter with an ancient grove of larches by a spring. The history of the site is considered and an expressive painting results. The glass is then cut into tiles. I elected a simple grid composed of tiles that are twice as wide as they are high, to suggest balance. Tiles are collaged and applied to a form, which is a curve made from timber and cork. Cork is more sustainable than timber as the oak bark is harvested without cutting down the tree. In between the glass tiles, sand sourced locally is incorporated into the grout.
The frames are then painted with a natural paint, to compliment the glass.
500 x 500 x 60 mm
Glass, glass enamel, cork, timber.
2023
