Artist Statement
Joy Lait
After a particularly vivid dream several years ago, I, a longtime glass flameworker, began working on a series of glass and stainless steel wire sculptures. The dream included color and swirling forms. I, as is my habit, woke up and drew something on the pad next to the bed. The next morning it was, “What the *&#%#$^# is that.” After six months of experimentation, the work started to happen. With time, the work evolved to where it is today.
My latest series is called “Moons” and brings a lightness and energy to my creations. I often describe the series as my brain in motion. I enjoy watching the smiles on the viewers’ faces as they are drawn closer to the sculpture and then try to resist touching it. My work is created with that in mind. The glass draws in the viewer and makes them want to touch as the bouncing wires make the glass dance. And I encourage the interaction.
To create these sculptures, glass is flameworked onto each end of a 36” stainless steel wire. The beads vary in shape and size. After annealing the glass and cleaning the wire, each wire is wound. These undulating wires are then fed through a center core to become a sculpture.
These creations are then hung from the ceiling or wall. Numerous pieces can be hung together to make a larger sculpture.
