Etsuko Nishi
Etsuko Nishi
Early in her career, Etsuko Nishi was attracted to the special qualities achieved in ancient and 19th century pate de verre—literally "paste of glass," a technically challenging mode of glass work which involves mixing frit (fine granules of glass) into a paste and applying it to molds to be fired. Having become exceptionally skilled in this difficult, time-sensitive technique (one more instant in the furnace and the whole object melts), Nishi creates delicate, translucent objects that seem to float like water lilies on a garden pond. These elegant objects possess a delicate, "sugary" texture and quiet matte finish which seem to speak of a captured moment.
Nishi studied at the Royal College of Art in London and at Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle, and her work shows the influence of vessel culture as well as that of the art of basketry of Japan. She is particularly intrigued with ancient Roman "cage (layered) vessels" which she recreates, but in an entirely new aesthetic of far greater delicacy and lightness than the opaque, static shapes of the past. Ms. Nishi explores techniques for creating softer, almost floating shapes in her multi-layered vessels.
