Clusters

Clusters is a hanging garden of glass vines, flowers, and fruit, each component is handmade and unique. Artist Keith Walker chose to work with bright colours and exaggerated dimensions knowing that the glass sculptures would be installed near windows, high above. About 500 separate pieces of glass were created to form the eight clusters, which are suspended from the ceiling of a gathering space in the Central Lions Senior Recreation Centre. This process took nearly a year to complete with a production style akin to that of the traditional glass artisans in Italy and Poland.

Historically, glass making was a highly prized skill and techniques were often kept secret with methods passed down from master to apprentice. There is an elusive quality to glass that has enchanted people for generations. The materiality of glass is extremely technical, something that Walker feels one never fully masters.

This piece is a demonstration of the beauty and versatility of the medium, used in an imaginative way. Walker intends this piece to generate discussion on the art of glass making.

Edmonton-based glass blower Keith Walker likens his craft to a sport requiring drills and exercises before the final execution of the piece. It requires teamwork, a gambler’s sense of risk-taking, and some improvisation as the glass evolves during its creation. Many steps are required before the project is completed, and a team of players (assistants, welders, installers) works together to coordinate such a large-scale project. In terms of the material, working with glass is a physically demanding process, yet must be handled with extreme delicacy.