Rebecca Rowland OAS, WOA – Oxfordshire Artweeks

340 Rebecca Rowland OAS, WOA

Region: Oxford West – City

Artform: Glass

Becca is a fused glass artist based in Oxford. She describes her previous business career as ‘telling stories with data’ in which recognising patterns and underlying structures were key. She brings that same sensibility to her glass work through the strong use of patterns, a fascination with straight lines and a focus on what fills the gaps.
Much of her work makes use of the “strip-cut” technique which involves laying short sections of glass side by side with voids deliberately inserted so that hot glass can flow and compete to fill the spaces. Conscious that the patterns rely on strong degree of structure, Becca has been experimenting with subsequently pressing her glass so that the overall effect is more organic and fluid.
Over the last two years Becca has specifically been exploring how colourful patterns that are created in textiles can be recreated with glass and has been particularly inspired by the work of two contemporary British weavers.
The patterns found in science, maths and nature have also been sources of inspiration for Becca. She has created a number of glass panels which reflect the aperiodic tiling patterns described in modern mathematics, as well as small glass panels which mimic the tell-tale genetic patterns of gel DNA electrophoresis which are usually only visible under special light conditions.