Through my glasswork, I am constantly interested in the fundamental qualities of form, colour and mark making using an abstract vocabulary.
I enjoy injecting the use of everyday items; these are layered, collaged with the glass producing new unexpected associations within the compositions. I quite often work on a large scale and then isolate areas; from here one creates a different sense of scale and view.
More recently I have also played with a creating a ‘tactile’ surface within the glass. The drawing has always been an integral part of my working process and I enjoy responding with the glass as I do when drawing. This is achieved through screen-printing photographic images and overlaying, creating an illusion whereby the surfaces appear something they are not. From this I am constantly interested in the fundamental visual combined with the printed image. I overlay and repeat forms creating a diary of images for the viewer.
Much of my work responds to working two-dimensionally with this material. This is achieved through many techniques some more traditionally associated with stained glass and some newer processes. This can range from sandblasting, acid etching to screen-printing and painting.
The glass is quite often layered and depending on the piece and its outcomes can be wall-mounted with specially designed fixings or seen more traditionally against a window. I also work with box frames where I juxtapose glass and drawing together using a variety of the above techniques
I produce both individual pieces which are seen and sold through galleries as well as working on site-specific projects and commissions where one has a more specific relationship with the client. I enjoy this relationship as it allows me still to develop my work and ideas, which undoubtedly support and enhance projects.
Image credits (from left): Internal glass panels - commission for the Great Eastern , Stained Glass Panel – commission for Montessori School (Sylvia Archer ), Glass framed drawings
Sara Whale
Glass
16 Codrington Hill, Honor Oak, London SE23 1LW
Contact: Sara Whale