Gallery 2

Chris Bird-Jones

The ideas for ‘Silver Spoons’ started to germinate during a Creative Wales Ambassador residency in Hawaii in 2015 and in residence at Ruthin the following year. Over the next few years my fascination with the universality of the spoon and how we all connect with it throughout our lives led me to research further, listen to peoples stories and play with spoons. The spoon shape, with bowl head and body handle, can reference human form and being made from fragile glass echo our condition – rydym i gyd yn fregus, we are all fragile. The ‘Seven Silver Spoons’ are made from blown glass, are hollow and mirrored on the inside, we catch glimpses of ourselves in the reflective surfaces. They feel good to hold and cradle, gently but firmly securing the weight and fragility of each piece. When just being, each spoon has their own hand-crafted box to rest on or within. In the exhibition these pieces are surrounded by the ambient rhythmic sound created with glass play in ‘Silver Lined’ a film that lulls the room and senses.

‘Juicy Spoons’ are coming too with their curvilinear shapes and rainbow colours. There is an energy within these individual transparent pieces interacting freely with the light – they are colourful individuals, fruity and fun. Other pieces include the lofty ‘Long handled spoon to sup with the devil’, the suspended silent ‘Witness’ gently rotating on the breeze, capturing all, ‘Twins’ curling together, ‘One’ and the series ‘Circles’ of hand formed molten glass. I’m excited to bring my family of Silver Spoons and their friends to Ruthin.

Originally from Llangollen, Chris is a Swansea based artist who works primarily, though not exclusively, with glass. Having studied at Swansea School of Art and the Royal College of Art, her professional practice has encompassed architectural commissions, international collaborations, community initiatives and a raft of exhibitions. As well as leading academic glass courses at Wrexham, Wolverhampton and Swansea, Chris has lectured and mentored far and wide. Being awarded a coveted Creative Wales Ambassador Award a few years ago afforded Chris time to explore ideas and processes that have long shaped her work.