Illinois based artist Jiyong Lee has come up with these fascinating segmented glass sculptures as a part of a special series entitled ‘Segmentation’. Inspired originally by the growth of cells that impresses the artist, technically it employs a glass technique called ‘Cold Working’, which is the process of sculpting glass through sanding, cutting, laminating, and carving. This technique does not require heating up of glass through glass blowing or kilns.
‘Segmentation’ is explained in depth by Artist Jiyong Lee as follows: “The segmentation series is inspired by my fascination with science of cell, its division and the journey of growth that starts from a single cell and goes through a million divisions to become a life. I work with glass that has transparency and translucency, two qualities that serve as perfect metaphors for what is known and unknown about life science. The segmented, geometrical forms of my work represent cells, embryos, biological and molecular structures—each symbolizing the building blocks of life as well as the starting point of life.
The uniquely refined translucent glass surfaces suggest the mysterious qualities of cells and, on a larger scale, the cloudiness of their futures. The Segmentation series is subtle and quiet yet structurally complex. I transform solid glass using cutting, lamination, carving, and surface refining processes to make art that is both beautiful and deeply invested with meaning.”
Although the beauty of these sculptures certainly lie in the attention to detail and the finish, the colors bring life to them with the play of light creating an opulent glow emitted through their translucent bodies. Without further ado, enjoy these beautiful pieces in the gallery, courtesy of artist Jiyong Lee.
By: Priyanka Sha
Edited by: Zeynab Matar
