Friday January 25, 2013 | by Andrew Page

Kirstie Rea returns to her roots with a new body of work: glass fabric sculptures

FILED UNDER: Exhibition, New Work

Kirstie Rae, Knowing II (detail), 2012. Glass and chair. courtesy: the artist Kirstie Rea, Knowing II (detail), 2012. Glass and chair. courtesy: the artist

Kirstie Rea recently unveiled a new body of work at an exhibition that opened on January 23rd at Canberra Glassworks. Running through March 21st, 2013, the exhibition entitled “Under My Skin” explores the artist’s sense of place through found objects draped under fabric-like sheets of slumped glass. Part of Canberra Glassworks’ “100 Days of Glass” project, the exhibition explores Rea’s memories of growing up in Canberra, where she’s spent most of her life. On Saturday, January 26th, the artist will present a public gallery talk at 10.30 AM to discuss her new work and how it relates to her life experience.

“‘Under My Skin’ reflects on memories of growing up in and around Canberra, the garden, home and beyond, says Rea in a written statement. “These places and activities are inextricably linked to the city and kept embedded under my skin, sometimes felt but not seen, lingering as memory.”

A view of the exhibition as installed at Canberra Glassworks.

Drawing upon her interest in nature and the passage of time, the work in the exhibition features garden implements and domestic found objects, which are draped with glass designed to fall like sheer fabric. Rea’s connections to Canberra run deep. She graduated from the Canberra School of Art Glass Workshop (now part of the Australian National University), and she served as Canberra Glassworks inaugural creative director.

Slumped glass takes on the quality of draped sheer fabric in Rea’s new body of work on display at Canberra Glassworks.

IF YOU GO:

Kirstie Rea

“Under My Skin”

Through March 21, 2013

Canberra Glassworks

11 Wentworth Avenue

Kingston ACT

Canberra, Australia

Website: www.canberraglassworks.com/visit/visitor-information/