Artist Statement
My artistic practice is inspired by the natural environment where I spent my formative years in the west of Ireland. I am particularly interested in how traditions and custom root a person to a place. Superstitious practices, such as throwing salt over your shoulder, were the norm growing up in Westport. Tales about fairy rings which were relayed to me by my Grandfather were also particularly influential.
Beautiful wild flowers and plants surround the tranquil Irish countryside. Mystery emanates from the flourish attracting passers by to admire and sometimes collect these charming blossoms. Captivated by these enchanting plants I create collections of these wild flowers out of glass, capturing eternally their beauty.
One group of work which stem from these sources are free blown hollow glass forms, with hot sculpted tendrils on the outside that are reminiscent of tangles of branches and tree roots. Another set of work comprise intricate flame-worked flowers (’Snow Drops, Blue Bells’) these pieces are molded in clear glass over a loose flame, with a little colour added. This allows each to become characteristically unique like the environment which inspired their conception.
The transparency of clear glass is intentionally maintained in order to heighten the ambiguity among an organic ecosystem.
Shows and Exhibitions
2011 Solo Glass Exhibition, Custom House Studios, Westport, Co. Mayo
2011 Engage With Glass, Solstic Arts Centre, Navan, Co. Meath
2011 21 Century Icons, National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny
2011 Solo Glass Exhibition, Signal Arts Centre, 1 Albert Avenue, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
2011 Spring Showcase, National Glass Centre, Liberty Way, Sunderland, SR6 0GL
2011 Possibilities, Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford
2010 Solo Glass Exhibition, Alley Arts & Conference Centre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone.
2009,’10,‘11 Sculpture in Context, Botanical Gardens, Dublin.
2009 Future Makers 2009, Craft Council of Ireland, Kilkenny.
2007,’09 International Student Exhibition, International Glass Art Society, USA
2009 NCAD Degree Show, National College of Art and Design, Dublin.
2007 Mickey Finns Trophy Competition, designed and fabricated award.
Awards
2009 Future Makers Awards 2009, Craft Council of Ireland, Kilkenny.
2007 Mickey Finns Trophy Competition, designed and fabricated award for Flaring Competition.
2006 Innovation in Engineering.
Commissions
COLLECTIONS
2009 Museum of Ireland Collection, Displayed in the “Out of Storage” Area, Museum of Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barricks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
2009 Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka and their glass models of sea creatures, Emma Bourke, Thesis part of the library’s collection of Blaschka research, Blaschka Archive, Rakow Library, Corning Museum of Glass, One Museum Way Corning, NY 14830, USA.
Qualifications
BDes; Honours in Craft Design in Glass. National College of Art and Design, 100 Thomas St, Dublin 8.
Skills Profile
Glass blowing, Flame working, Cold working, Casting, Fusing, Slumping, Soldering and Stain glass.
Employment Record
2011 Engage With Glass, Symposium, Solstic Arts Centre, Navan, Co. Meath
2011 Instructor, Glass Workshops, Flamework and Fusing, Glass Art Design Studio, Spiddal Co. Galway and Workhouse Studios, Co. Waterford.
2011 Instructor, “Response” Childrens Workshop, Garter Lane, Waterford.
2010,’11 Curator, Dolly Mix, Mad Art Gallery, Dublin, Swept Away, Keep Together, STAC, Clonmel, Spontanous Order, Signal Arts Centre, Bray
2009 International Glass Art Society. Conference, Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, USA.
2009 Flameworking Demonstrator. Cheryl Cobern Browne, E.O.M Studios, Mayo
2009 Teaching Assistant, David Schnuckel, NCAD, 100 Thomas St, Dublin 8.
2008 Flame Working Conference. Salem, New Jersey, USA.
2008 Student Exchange. Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, USA.
2008 Studio Assistant, Robin Cass. Rochester, New York, USA.
2005-07 Studio Assistant, Linda Molloy, The Glass House, Westport, Co. Mayo.
Payment Details
Contact Details
Knappa Beg
Westport
Mayo
Ireland
0857514456
ekbourke@gmail.comwww.emmabourke.com