Kirsten Glass: Swimming Witches

2 - 30 October 2020

The title of this exhibition of Kirsten Glass's new paintings is an irreverent reference to the historic witch trials when suspects were tied by ropes and thrown into deep water – if they sank and drowned they were innocent, if they floated they must be guilty. In Glass’s view, witches can swim, so her title suggests the survival of the soul, an animistic reconnection, a re-enchantment, here through the painting process. To Glass, art is potentially the manifestation of a spiritual, magical  process, whether or not artists realise it. Alongside the paintings this exhibition includes an offering table assembled by Glass, containing a historic coven relic. 

Kirsten Glass, Doorway, 2020
  • Come Through (2010), the oldest is paired with a table arrangement that includes a remnant from a historic initiation or...

    Come Through (2010), the oldest is paired with a table arrangement that includes a remnant from a historic initiation or summoning triangle, loaned by a High Priest from the Bricket Wood coven lineage. Rather than separate this relic from its context, Glass displays it within its own language on a table beneath Come Through. She completes the summoning triangle fragment with stones and protects it with a line of eggshells. The coven relic is surrounded by symbolic arrangements and offerings, including pomegranates for Persephone’s retreat into the underworld for wintertime and to Hekate, ancient goddess of witches, who is the keeper of keys to the underworld. Glass offers Hekate the traditional onion, garlic, egg and red wine libation on a board into which she has burned the flowers of life pattern. The table’s central black velvet area containing the ritual set-up will remain quietly unlit. Black and white candles representing the harmony of dualities, will be lit by Glass on the first and last day of the exhibition.
  • Viewings by appointment

    Kirsten Glass: Swimming Witches is available to view by appointment. Click here to book your viewing.
  • About Kirsten Glass

    Portrait by Kieron Helsdon, 2020.

    About Kirsten Glass

    Kirsten Glass was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1975, and lives and works in London. Glass studied at Chelsea College of Art and Design (1993–96) and Goldsmiths College (1998–2000).  

     

    Her work has been exhibited extensively across the UK and abroad, including in group exhibitions at the ICA and the Barbican. Her solo exhibitions include Youthinkyoufuckinslick at Alfred Camp, London (1999); Ace Gallery, Los Angeles (1999); Hales Gallery, London (2006) and The Body in the Library, V22 Ashwin Street, London (2007) and Persephone, Queen of the Underworld  (2014, Cock 'n Bull Gallery, London).