Green Summer

Green Summer, a glass sculpture inspired by the cycles of nature, is made using a combination of different techniques that results in a unique aesthetic. Nina uses both the traditional process of the kiln casting technique as well as hand sculpting. The piece has a matte texture on one side and a shiny polish in the depth of the glass on the other side. The contrast in translucency shows the quality of the glass.

Courtesy of Vessel Gallery

● Type: Sculpture
● Dimensions: 36 H x 40 W x 31 D cm
● Material: Glass
● Date: 2021

Nina Casson McGarva begins by making hundreds of elliptical wax beads, reminiscent of seeds, which she then imprints on a plaster mould. When the wax has been steamed out, she covers the mould with the ground or billeted glass, which then melts and runs into the shape of the mould in the kiln. After the glass has been cooled in this form, she reheats it enough to make it pliable and twists it by hand into ethereal shapes before it solidifies.

While the whole process of making a sculpture can take her two weeks or more, for the hot-working stage, Casson McGarva has about two minutes. “It’s a big risk,” she says, “but I like the contrast between the control that I have at the kiln-forming stage, and the spontaneity of the hot-working, where I guide the material, but the thickness, colour, temperature and gravity all exert their own influence. Sometimes, my initial idea is realised in an unexpected way. And the discoveries I make can provide inspiration for my next piece.”

Next of EuropeExhibition