Wendy Fairclough: Commonalities

 

Wendy Fairclough’s art practice in glass reflects her original training in sculpture and printmaking.  Through a combination of hand blowing, cold working, engraving and casting, she transforms everyday utilitarian objects into arrangements or installations that emit great metaphorical and poetic power. Her background as a printmaker becomes evident through the use of engraving across installation based groupings of vessels.  Traditionally glass objects have been perceived as being precious. By exploring the interplay between the environment, the cast or hand blown utilitarian objects and the viewer, Fairclough allows shifts in perception from the usual assumed functionality of objects.  This body of work continues and extends on a theme that Wendy has touched on previously, that is to bring to visibility the commonalities shared between ordinary people from different cultures and belief systems.

Curated by Karen O’Clery

Image: Wendy Fairclough, Next to Godliness, 2006, cast glass, blown glass, sandblasted, wooden bench, 130 x 150 x 35 cm. Courtesy the artist and Narek Galleries.