[Bcma-l] Media Release: Upcoming Crafthouse Gallery Exhibit, Laura Murdoch, "Layered Light"

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

*For immediate release: *
March 26, 2008

Media Inquiries Contact:
Calvin Taplay, Communications Coordinator calvin.taplay@cabc.net 
<mailto:calvin.taplay@cabc.net>


(images available)



Laura Murdoch, Glass Vessel

	

*Laura Murdoch "Layered Light"*

*Exhibit:* July 31 - September 7, 2008
*Opening Reception:* July 31th, 6 - 8pm
Crafthouse Gallery, 1386 Cartwright Street, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC
Gallery Hours: Daily 10:30 - 5:30pm
Telephone: 604-687-7270, www.cabc.net <http://www.cabc.net/>

Layered Light is a luminous series of richly coloured and elegantly 
patterned blown glass vessels and pendant lights. Laura's work utilizes 
simple shapes as canvas on which to present intricate repeating patterns 
on, and/or encased in, the glass. One piece can have as many as 5 
translucent layers of different patterns and colours superimposed on 
each other, ultimately exploring order within disorder. Each layer is a 
window through which the other interior layers are revealed.

This is accomplished using the graal process. The graal process is an 
intermediate step in the blowing of a vessel, in the form of a 
two-coloured bubble (an incomplete vessel), that is cooled to room 
temperature, allowing the artist to make an impression or design on the 
glass with colour and/or texture variation. The bubble is then heated 
again, often more glass and colour is gathered over top, and the blowing 
process is completed.

In Laura's case, she often uses this process many times over, building 
layer after layer of colour, texture and pattern in the same piece. Each 
layer can be painted, cut, carved, drilled, and/or incised. In addition, 
the outer surface is sometimes bathed in acid to produce a "beach glass" 
effect. Because there are so many processes involved, one piece can take 
years to evolve, and might have a hundred hours or more invested in it. 
The end result is worth waiting for, and culminates in the bringing 
together of many unrelated layers into a final harmonious, synchronized 
whole. You might be left asking "how did she do that?"

Crafthouse Gallery is a program of the Crafts Association of British 
Columbia. CABC provides leadership in the craft community by building 
and promoting the development, appreciation and sustainability of 
Canadian fine craft through programs and services for the public and 
craft makers. The Crafts Association of BC gratefully acknowledges the 
support from the following: City of Vancouver, the British Columbia Arts 
Council and the Province of British Columbia through Gaming Revenue, 
CHMC Granville Island, CABC members and volunteers.



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