Michelle Stewart
Marking the passage of life... and death. 2020.
100 Australian species have become extinct in the last 232 years. With masses of data collected, collated and presented in ways that make the scale of the loss difficult to visualise, I wanted to make something that represents the data in a way that's easier to understand. Each of the 232 beads is made in the flame, with glass sourced from British gin and whisky bottles. It is a slow and measured process. The time it takes allows for reflection on my intent, for meditation on loss. The collection of beads together makes a weight that when worn, cannot be ignored. It is a weight we should, we must, carry - there will be more to come
Peophila cincta cincta Vs Adani, 2017
Victoria's State faunal emblems are both Critically Endangered and under further threat from Government directed logging in the only forests where these animals are left.
Fossil Brooches, 2018
I collected glass bottles from within the forest and along roadsides of the Central Victorian Highlands and used the glass to depict a sample of some of the plant species threatened in this area due to continued logging of this irreplaceable Old-Growth forest.
What have you got to lose? 2017
Glass bottles have been collected from within the forest and along roadsides of the Central Victorian Highlands and used in a Pâte de Verre technique to depict certain plants that grow in that area. Using plaster casting of actual leaves, the detail is transferred to the glass. Using the glass not only arises from site specificity but also seeks to highlight the fragility of these forests with continued logging devastating old-growth forest and pushing already critically endangered species to extinction.
JARdin, 2020
A small sample of a larger collection. Inspired by watching a program about future food production and in particular using a lab to begin the germination processes.
Profile
Michelle Stewart completed her Bachelor of Fine Art (Hons) at RMIT in 2017, and has exhibited extensively across Australia and Europe. Working with glass since 2008, Michelle is working towards a minimal impact with her practice through experimentation and a careful consideration of materiality. She uses recycled materials and particularly glass to explore the natural landscape and the premise of human impact within it. Primarily working in the jewellery field she also presents installation, small sculpture and environmental art. She recently completed an artist in residence at Glasgow School of Art in 2018-2019.
Grants & Awards
2018
- Art-Reuse-Sustainability of Glass, Arte Laguna, Venice