Simon Butler kiln cast forms, flaring gracefully from a narrow base. act as foils to highlight the luminous beauty of the medium crystal! From a distance their translucent presence impels the vewer to draw closer, where their immersive beauty is revealed to the more intimate gaze. There is a secuctive allure in gazing into depths of solid crystal, its depth defined by tiny gleaming bubbles that capture the light and cause the monochromatic colours to glow more intensely.

Butlers kiln cast forms are suggestive of wheel thrown ceramic vessels, and reflect his previous training as a potter. However their gestation is quite different. He makes a silica - plaster mould from a wax positive - then fills the void left by the melted wax from a crucible within the kiln. After annealing for up to 4 weeks, the surface is polished to a flawless sheen, as a counterpoint to the rough matt texture of the mould, which Butler leaves untouched on the curved sides!

Simon Butter collections include
Victona & Albert Museum London
South Australia Art gallery

Simon Butter was three times the people choice winner of the Prestigious Ranamok Glass prize - www.ranamok.com