Emma Bourke

My flameworked flowers and free blown pods express my connection to my homeland. The forms are inspired by the natural environment where I spent my formative years in the west of Ireland. I am particularly interested in how traditions and custom root a person to a place. Superstitious practices, such as throwing salt over your shoulder, were the norm growing up in Westport. Tales about fairy rings which were relayed to me by my Grandfather were also particularly influential.

One group of work which stem from these sources are free blown hollow glass forms, with hot sculpted tendrils on the outside that are reminiscent of tangles of branches and tree roots. Another set of work comprise intricate flame-worked flowers (Fuchsia’, ‘Honeysuckle’, ‘Daisy chain’) these pieces are molded in clear glass over a loose flame, with a little colour added. This allows each to become characteristically unique like the environment which inspired their conception. The transparency of clear glass is intentionally maintained in order to heighten the ambiguity among an organic ecosystem.