synergy:
Liz and John Yelland
   
Display in the Gallery

Our display for the synergy exhibition.
L to R 'Desert Night One', 'Stellar Rug', 'Desert Wind', 'View from the Attic' and 'Desert Night Two'.

All pieces are fused glass with inclusions of copper, rocks and enamels. The framed pieces are leaded together like a leadlight window. 'Stellar Rug' and 'Desert Wind' are free hanging.

A recording of native frogs from Lake Alexandrina accompanied the display.

   
We share a fondness for the night sky and vast desert spaces. Both give us solace, renewal and inspiration. The crystallisation for this body of work occurred during a radio broadcast of Olivier Messiaen's remarkable musical masterpiece, "From the Canyons to the Stars". The work alluded to the miracle of creation on earth and in the larger universe, these wonders being however, only a prelude to the eternal dimension beyond physical life. The clarity of the music suggested the use of glass and metals. The colours which came to mind were the rich dark blues, indigos, reds and pinks common in astronomical photographs of nebulae and other deep space phenomena, combined with the vibrant orange-red sand of the Australian outback. The use of sound seemed imperative to generate an atmosphere of awe and vast space, as experienced standing under the night sky.
This installation is our tribute to both Messiaen's music and the Greater Forces which inspired it.
   

"Stellar Rug"
Consisting of 70 fused glass squares held together with copper wires and hung on the wall, 'Stellar Rug' creates a similar effect to a knitted woollen rug where the small parts are crocheted together. Each tile is different and unique and the whole forms a true synergy!
John wiring together the tiles. Small copper rings were formed and carefully threaded through the loops fused into each tile. For transport, small wood screws were placed at some of the intersections to secure the tiles to the table and the whole table top removed. A metal tube with hooks was used for display with the whole 'rug' hanging free. constructing the rug
   

Individual tiles:
Tile 1 Tile 2
Tile 3 Tile 4

"Stellar Rug"(detail) Glass, enamels, copper wire. 70 tiles total. Each tile 107mm square approx.
1210mm x 870mm total (c) Liz and John Yelland 2001
   

"View from the Attic"
Liz had a fantasy of looking out of an attic window at a huge spiral galaxy! Maybe on an antique spaceship?
Framed glass panels

"View from the Attic" Glass, enamels, copper, Leaded in timber frame.
570mm x 780mm approx. (unframed). (c) Liz Yelland, 2001
   
detail of glass panel

"View from the Attic" (detail, approx 90mm square)
(c) Liz Yelland 2001
Detail of the right-hand centre panel, showing the inclusions of wire and rocks within the fused glass. The red enamel is on the outer surface and there is an air bubble over the 'galaxy'.
 

"Desert Night 1"
 
Framed glass panel: Desert night 1

"Desert Night 1" Glass, enamels, marbles, rubber, copper, brass, painted steel, Leaded in timber frame.
580mm x 800mm approx. (unframed). (c) Liz Yelland, 2001
 
Desert Night 1 detail

"Desert Night 1" Detail. Glass, enamels, aluminium, rocks.
190mm x 280mm (c) Liz Yelland, 2001

"Desert Night 2"
 
Framed glass panel: Desert Night 2

"Desert Night 2" Glass, enamels, marbles, rubber, copper, brass, painted steel, Leaded in timber frame.
420mm x 590mm approx. (unframed). (c) Liz Yelland, 2001
 

"Desert Wind"
Desert Wind Desert Wind

"Desert Wind" Glass, enamels, copper, lead, brass, steel,
rubber, red sand and limestone rocks
1800mm high approx.(c) Liz Yelland, 2001

"Desert Wind" Detail. 
(c) Liz Yelland, 2001
Wind detail

"Desert Wind" Detail closeup. 
360mm x 60mm (c) Liz Yelland, 2001
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This page updated 06/06/02.
All images on this page
© 2001 Liz and John Yelland