Output details

When Light Congeals into Matter

Brief description: The Glass Arts Society conference is the leading international glass conference and is where speakers are invited to present on many subject matters pertaining to the development of glass making and its continuing development. Its journal is the seminal reference point of the conference and details each speaker’s address. The article explored Stewart’s research for the colouring of pâte de verre with metallic salts as derived from an original investigation into the lost methodology and techniques of the French pâte de verre artist Amalric Walter (1870-1959). The article is one of three articles (published in the US, Britain and Italy) that explore the intimate relationship between Walter’s pâte de verre and Stewart’s own work. The current basis for investigation on Walter lies in France and Italy with Stewart being the key figure for that research in Britain.

Research rationale: Stewart’s research builds on the development of revived techniques and lost methodologies as derived from Walter’s own practice, which Stewart undertook in earlier research. The paper given was the first time such a presentation was made on both Walter and Stewart’s own work to a wider audience. This allowed the impact of the original research to be examined through a number of stages. The article also related hitherto unknown knowledge about the historical use of uranium in lead crystal and the methodologies used for its investigation.

Strategies undertaken: The article drew on the experience of the artist working as a chemist within strict guidelines of material science showing how easy it is to colour glass in the kiln using traditional firing techniques and salts. This was presented in a way which could be understood by the layman and is easily disseminated to a wide audience and which has the potential to significantly affect kiln-formed glass worldwide.