8 – 25 June 2017
about the exhibition
Nicole Ayliffe explores the optical qualities of glass through her beautiful transparent glass forms. Of this exhibition Nicole says“The optical qualities of glass have been captured through the use of thick clear glass forms, creating the illusion of space. The suspension of the bubble emphasises the reflection and refraction of light between the exterior and interior surfaces, whilst the delicate imagery both describes and captures the beauty of nature.”The exhibition comprises several series of works where the engraved pieces from each series have been inspired by the photographic works. Many of the photographic images have been taken along the coastline of Australia, where Nicole spends much of her time exploring the natural environment. Nicole also finds inspiration in repetition of lines within the landscape, such as ploughed fields and furrowed lines on the surface on the sand, most clearly demonstrated in the ‘Reed’ and ‘Field Lines’ pieces. All of Nicole’s work is hand blown, meticulously surface worked, cut and polished to provide a window into the interior form.
Nicole Ayliffe graduated in 2005 from the South Australian School of Art, University of South Australia, completing a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) majoring in glass and photography. In 2004, she was selected for the Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition and received a High Commendation for the Adelaide City Council Award. During the course of her studies, Nicole also won the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society Art Prize, received a High Commendation from the Glass Art Society Award, received a Bullseye scholarship (fused glass workshop, Jam Factory), and was a finalist in the Ranamok Glass Prize. Nicole’s work is represented in the Parliament House Art Collection,National Glass Collection (Wagga Wagga Art Gallery) and the Northeast University College of Fine Arts (Changchun, China).
