Glass | Aurora
Aurora takes its name from the Aurora Borealis, drawing inspiration from the ethereal glow created by the interaction of solar wind and magnetic particles, a phenomenon we are sometimes fortunate enough to witness from the north of Scotland. That sense of shifting light and quiet wonder is central to the sculpture. Rather than attempting to replicate the Northern Lights directly, the work seeks to capture something of their character: a presence that feels luminous and subtly alive.
The sculpture is constructed from approximately sixty layers of glass, which I shape precisely before carefully stacking them to create the form. This layered approach allows the glass to hold and diffuse light within its body, drawing the eye inward rather than simply reflecting the surface. Discipline and precision are essential to the process; every layer contributes to the overall clarity and balance of the finished work.
As with much of my practice, Aurora was developed in close response to its intended setting. For this particular commission, a light was introduced beneath the body of the sculpture and concealed within the top of the plinth before the piece was mounted. This subtle addition transforms the way the work behaves as daylight fades, causing it to illuminate softly in the evening and extending its presence well beyond daylight hours.
Here, Aurora is shown installed in a Cotswold garden, resting on a dry-stone plinth that was already in place. The relationship between sculpture and setting is important: the smooth, translucent precision of the glass sits in quiet dialogue with the rugged texture and history of the stone beneath it. The contrast anchors the work within the landscape, allowing the ethereal quality of the glass to feel grounded rather than remote.
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