Lex Ireton: Repeat After Me - An Exploration of Pattern
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The Gallery at Queen's Park Centennial Lodge, Queen's Park, New Westminster, British Columbia V3M 6W6
Lex Ireton, "Dazzle," 2016
blown glass, 13.5" x 6 x 6"
Opening Reception: Wednesday, August 1, 6 - 8pm.
Exhibition Dates: August 1 – 26, 2018.
Artist Talk: Sunday, August 12, 3-4pm
Free Admission.
Exhibition Statement
Lex Ireton’s glass work is heavily process oriented, where she explores her love of connecting with the material hands on. This invites constant learning of new techniques and embracing, even enhancing the phenomenon that occur when dealing with glass. Many of Ireton’s ideas evolve through working in the hot shop; always starting with a plan but reacting to the material step by step, knowing each moment has the potential to be a finished object.
Ireton draws inspiration from patterns occurring in the natural world. Ornamentation is laid out or carved into the glass in a very controlled manner. She can then encourage outside forces to affect the materials intrinsic qualities to create spontaneous effects on the pattern, manipulating a recognizable pattern to be as representational or abstract as she wants. Markings become fluid, stretching and moving in different ways depending on the softness of each colour, the addition of air and amount of heat.
Ireton explores the relationship between individual forms and how they interact with one another to create a united end product. By using repetition in pattern, texture, or components that make up a final piece, Ireton focuses on the connections created and how they inform the work as a whole. Working in multiples allows the finished version to be easily manipulated by the artist and the viewer, incorporating an element of play and the ability for the work to continue to change. Ireton also enjoys using the qualities of two different materials to interact with one another so they create either an opposing or reinforcing visual relationship. Relationships that form from the communication of different elements anthropomorphize the objects and bring in a social element.