Keywords: flame work, germany, hessen, nadja recknagel, glass, sculpture

Searching for Lightness

Nadja Recknagel

Dimensions

240 x 240 x 20 mm

Materials

Sculpture: flame work technique using glass

Artist statement

‘The interplay of space, light and shadows is the basis of my work. Soft, organic and fluent forms are built out of the hard raw material of glass. The lampworking technique gives me the opportunity to capture the work of my hands in glassy forms. My hands ‘write’ the objects row by row, round by round, glass fibre by glass fibre and create new shapes. The objects have a soft and textile-like look, even though they are built out of glass.

Glass is a marvellous material, combining simplicity, transparency and delicacy. The fluid nature of the medium remains noticeable even after the physical work has been completed. Glass encompasses frailty and power, rhythm and rigidity, tenderness and the capacity to both destroy and be destroyed. The flame work technique allows for very delicate, even precious sculptures that are reminiscent of lace.’