Red Radish / Scallion (2012)
Jen Violette (b.1972)
Red Radish, 2012 | Scallion, 2012
hand blown glass
13 cm × 18 cm x 8 cm
Private collection of the author
These hand blown glass sculptures with glass powder dusted over the surface are delicately set against a steel backing plate that looks like it’s been scrubbed with the wrong sponge. Their rich colours pop against the cool slate grey. Aside from being life-sized there’s nothing else to note. Sometimes the simplest art can bring the biggest smile, but it’s important to acknowledge that the simplest things are often the hardest to achieve. Don’t believe me? Sign up for a glass blowing class and let me know how you get on.
These are two of the earliest works I acquired, and the very first sculptures. I knew instantly that I wanted one and as I so often do when I can afford to, I got two. I wish I could explain just what it is that I love so much about these works, but being able to crystallise it into something as simple as they look has eluded me. It’s certainly got something to do with the colours, and possibly their true to life size. Maybe it’s the taste? Though I’ve never been a fan of radish. They’re bitter and tough and I always pick them out on the rare occasion they ever end up in anything I’ve ordered. Scallions / spring onions, however, I’ll garnish on anything and everything.
I bought these in the autumn but they remind me of spring and freshly picked salad — so healthy, light and crunchy. These works fill me with the same sense of joy I get from a bouquet of fresh flowers, except these’ll never wilt or lose their colour. For the decade that I’ve had them they’ve stood firm in their holders like a soldier at attention. There once was a time when I assumed these would be the most expensive produce I’d ever bought, but thanks to Brexit and a decade of Tory fiscal mismanagement…
The artist is Jen Violette, a contemporary glass artist and landscape painter that has been working with molten glass for over three decades. I picked these up in Manchester. No, not that one. The one in Vermont, USA. I was taking an ‘autumn in New England’ trip with the explicit remit to see the leaves along with lots of other quintessentially New Englandy things like covered wooden bridges and Frank Lloyd Wright houses. I also popped into a gallery where I fell in love with Jen’s work. And if you do too, you can pick up some of her smaller pieces on Etsy. (Link below.)
There’s an infinite range of artistic expression but sometimes you just need something in your home that’s unassuming but invigorating to look at.
That’s why I like it.
When you're smilin' the whole world smiles with you.
Additional reading:
Artist website: jenviolette.com
Instagram: @JenVioletteGlass
Jen’s Etsy shop: violetteglass.etsy.com
Previously, on Why I Like It:
Jun — Babel (2001), Cildo Meireles
May — Human Frailty (c1656), Salvator Rosa
Apr — Stacked Sill (2022), Harriet Mena Hill