Emmy-Gai Palmer

I begin a piece by picking up a crochet or knitting needle…I say this but there are lots of things that have occurred before this moment and plenty after but for me this is where the idea really comes to life and starts to become the piece.

I’m forever being inspired by my surroundings, the sea and beaches around Plymouth. My ‘Del Mar’ series, are blown glass with knitted metal inclusions that incorporate colour, Inspired by nets and the translucent hues of seaweed caught up in waves and light through the sea. Light projects through these pieces creating wave like shadows.

They are designed to draw your gaze in to the form. To make these inclusions I use hand knitting and Crochet techniques that were passed on through the women in my family from generation to generation, with each stitch heart-warming memories find their way in to my work.

I’m inspired by elaborate hand Knitted and Crochet garments and the relationship between the garments and their makers. I’m fascinated to see that each stitch is evident in the finished piece, the little mistakes in the stitching give them character and tell of the makers struggle. Using my wire inclusions I try to make these unique characteristics clear in each individual piece of glass that I make. The glass and knitted wire work together in harmony, complimenting and emphasizing each other’s qualities.  I see the glass as a way to preserve, protect and present the stitches.