Rediscover a sense of childlike wonder at When the World Was Young, a free exhibition full of dreamy glass sculptures and frosty smooth glassware by two different artists. Curated and hosted by Round and Round – an small independent gallery in the Pearl’s Hill Terrace arts enclave – When the World Was Young is named after the German children's tale of the same title. For the gallery's owner, the idea of "youngness" is an unbridled freedom away from rigid man-made rules – and that same idea of carefree whimsy is what she hopes to evoke with this showcase of glass treasures.
In soft pastel tones, the translucent glass sculptures by Chinese artist Ning Daxia are easy on the eye and almost toy-like in appearance. But they aren’t merely decorative, for every delicate piece tells a story.
From woodland animals, to a child blowing bubbles, and another with a sheet over his head like a little ghost, these masterpieces are mostly inspired by her two daughters and how they manage to find awe in the littlest things – things that us adults tend to overlook. The dappled texture you see on her sculptures are a result of her own special watercolour method in glass-painting, which also helps retain colour.
Then there’s the glassware by Goto Yohei, a Japanese glass master who’s been in the trade ever since graduating from glass school in Toyama. Noticing how colourless all the mass-produced glass products encountered in daily life are, he set out to make his own multi-hued ones using the casting technique along with the French pâte de verre technique, the latter which involves pressing finely crushed glass powder into moulds.
These procedures cause the final product to come with minor imperfections in texture with bubbles and impurities – but that’s the whole beauty and character of Yohei’s work, in that no two bowls, plates or cups are ever truly alike.
Fancy any of the glass art displayed? You’ll be glad to know that everything exhibited is available for sale. Even if you’re not an art collector or expert, you’re more than welcome to head down for a peek into this showcase, and enjoy some tea from the studio’s connected tearoom while you’re at it.
When the World Was Young will run for three days from January 10 to 12, 2025, 12pm to 8pm. Check it out at Round and Round at 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, #01-46A. Find out more via Round and Round’s Instagram page.
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