Claire Bell

Exploring perception of image and creation of space through mark making is at the heart of my practice, with a focus on translating these onto glass through engraving its surface. Currently I work with clear or tinted float (window) glass to do this, using the techniques pioneered by John Hutton to create work based on my drawings.

Engraving transparent glass hovers in a space between the second and third dimension, as neither drawing nor sculpture. This fluidity enables me to explore presentation options, which include silvering the engraving to become an engraved mirror, wall hung box framing or freestanding it in space. Each option opens up ways to question the perception of the image and the object, exploring its relationship with viewer and surrounding environment.

Born and raised in England, I emigrated to New Zealand in 2003 for my BFA at Elam School of Fine Arts. I entered the studio glass world in 2010 when I worked for and with Garry Nash, O.N.Z.M in Auckland, learning to blow and engrave glass from 2010-2016.

In 2017 I started my own studio in Whanganui to focus on engraving glass, and have been working at it full time from 2021.