There are exhibitions that inform, and there are those that transport. A new collaborative show from well-known local photographer Annie Blick and long-standing local Dale Hunter (previously of Funky Munky Music fame!) — belongs firmly to the second kind, writes Trish Bloodworth.
Combining the luminous craft of fused glass with the ghostly beauty of cyanotype photography, this is a show that rewards slow looking. The duo combine as Glasswitchery and the current exhibition at Witheys Yard Gallery in Stroud, brings together two distinct bodies of work. Earth, Light & Fire — Nature’s Alchemy showcases the fused glass artistry of both Annie and Dale, with stunning pieces that evoke the beauty of the surrounding valleys and countryside.
From intricate hanging light-catchers to large-scale imagery, the work captures the natural world in luminous, fired glass. Hares caught in moonlight, bees, flowers and fish all appear across these truly unique pieces, rendered with remarkable skill and sensitivity.
Alongside the glasswork, Annie’s Beyond the Blue presents her cyanotype photography The cyanotype process lends the images a haunting, meditative quality that sits in beautiful dialogue with the warmth and glow of the glass.
What lifts the show beyond a mere craft showcase is the attention paid to presentation. Every piece is thoughtfully mounted on bespoke wrought-iron stands or displayed on timber and driftwood salvaged from the banks of the River Severn — a quietly brilliant curatorial decision that roots the work in the very landscape it depicts. The organic weight of the wood against the translucence of the glass creates a tension that feels entirely right.
This is a truly unique exhibition: intimate in scale, but generous in imagination. Whether you come for the craftsmanship, the local resonance, or simply the pleasure of being in the presence of beautiful things, Glasswitchery’s Exhibition is not to be missed.
The exhibition runs until Saturday, June 20th and is open daily from 10am-4pm.
