Penumbra sits alongside Enemark and Thompson’s earlier collection Panicum. Pushing their ideas that informed the former collection, the external forms are now altered and manipulated to have less symmetry with more organic, unpredictable lines. The internal structure too has more movement, the glass canes meander and traverse the enclosed space with free will.

Whilst making these pieces Enemark and Thompson were struck by how the pieces powerfully expressed their creative intent and directly seized upon the drama of the heat of the moment, an intuitive and exciting dialogue between the material and the action of making. They are intrigued by how these intricate, internal fragile structures contradict the calm skin and surface of the glass form that encapsulates this magical and energetic inner world.

The artists have referenced early Venetian glassmaking techniques by using a special hard white glass developed by the Venetians to achieve the very fine white lines of colour used in intricate decorative pattern making. The hardness and strength that characterises this white glass comes from a ceramic based material called Smalto. By using this age old glass recipe, Enemark & Thompson have forged a bond between the historical Venetian glassmaking tradition with their contemporary and playful approach to glass.

This artwork has sold but the artist can also create pieces to commission, please contact the gallery for further information.