Exploring the unfinished narrative of artwork through the creation of atmospheric phenomena within glass blowing
This PhD research focused on exploring the intersection of glass, sensation, colour perception and spatial laying within the realm of glass art. It delves into phenomena like Cesia, metamerism and synaesthesia, questioning the essence of what is seen and how colour and materiality in glass art influence viewer perception.
This interaction of perception and sensation raises critical research questions: How to affect the audience's perception of my glass works? What framework can be used to discuss these phenomena within my glass practice? How are colours and surfaces within my work perceived by the audience? Can my glass work evoke memories?
To delve into these questions, I propose to develop the concept of "synaesthetic touch", aiming to transcend traditional visual engagement by invoking a tactile sensation through sight. To elevate the sensory experience of glass sculptures beyond mere visual appreciation to encompass tactile sensations through visual perception. This innovative approach seeks to deepen the engagement with the artwork by blending visual and tactile experiences, thus enhancing the viewer's interaction with the sculpture. This practice-based inquiry seeks to understand and manipulate the sensory experience of art, inviting a deeper, more embodied interaction with the work, and challenging viewers to reconsider the boundaries between the senses.
This research delves into the emotional and sensory engagement of viewers with glass artworks, notably influenced by Josef Albers and the atmospheric essence captured by J.M.W. Turner and Ma Yuan. It further integrates the boundary-pushing colour explorations of Mark Rothko. Contemporary spatial installations by James Turrell, Antony Gormley and Olafur Eliasson, among others, alongside Edmund Burke's philosophical perspectives, enrich the study's theoretical base. Theoretical foundations draw on colour perception theories and Gilles Deleuze's philosophy, particularly his discussions on sensation.
Within the research a concatenated or linked methodology evolved that interwove theory and practice. The methodology includes experimental exhibitions to gather viewer feedback and a comprehensive analysis of the emotional and psychological effects of colour and light interplay in glass art. This project seeks to deepen the understanding of how glass artworks create emotional and sensory connections with viewers, employing a blend of practical experimentation and theoretical exploration. This methodology extends beyond the purely visual, aiming to establish connections with the ethereal and the unreachable.
Keywords: glass, colour, sensation, space, layering.
Key details
School, Centre or Area
Area of expertise
Supervisors
Gallery
More about Jinya
Biography
Born and raised in China, Jinya Zhao discovered a passion for glass whilst living in Hangzhou, China. She received her BA in 2017 from the China Academy of Art and her MA and MRes from the Royal College of Art in 2019 and 2021. In 2019, Jinya was invited to do an Artist-in-Residence in Southern Illinois University in USA. Currently she is a PhD candidate at the Royal College of Art.
Jinya sees glass as an ideal medium to explore the themes of environment, emotions, and personal experiences. Her work has been collected by museums such as Ulster Museum, Southern Illinois University and Prague Gallery of Czech Glass, and exhibited internationally.
Degrees
2021–Present. PhD. Arts & Humanities, Royal College of Art, London, UK
2020–21 MRes Arts & Humanities, Royal College of Art, London, UK
2017–19 MA Ceramics & Glass, Royal College of Art, London, UK
2013–17 MA Product Design (Glass Art & Design), China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
Experience
2022, Artist-in-Residency. Pilchuck Glass School. Seattle. USA. (upcoming)
2022, Artist-in-Residency. Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue. Jingdezhen. PRC.
2021–Present. Co-founder. Zung Gaan Group. Guangzhou, China
2020, Lecturer, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
2020, Visiting tutor, Almaden Country Day School, San Jose, USA
2019, Artist-in-Residency, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA
2019, Curator, Material Statements, Dyson Gallery, London, UK
2018, Crystal Designer, Cumbria Crystalm, Ulverston. UK.
2018, Ceramics Designer, Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, UK
Awards
2020, Excellence Award, The 7th Chengdu Creativity & Design Week - Golden Panda Tianfu Creative Design Award, Chengdu, China
2019, Wallpaper* Graduate Directory 2020 featured design, London, UK
2019, Commended. New Graduate Review 2019. Contemporary Glass Society, Norfolk, UK
2019. Shortlist. The Signature Art Prize, London, UK
2019, Finalist. Visual Art Open, London, UK
2019, Finalist. SL Award. Stanislav Libenský Award Competition Exhibition 2019, The New Town Hall, Prague, Czech Republic
2019, Travers Smith CSR. London, UK
2019, Honorable Mention. 2019 Glass Art Society Exhibition. Morean Arts Center, Saint Petersburg, USA
2019, Scholarship. Glass Art Society, Saint Petersburg, USA
2018, Scholarship. Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, USA
2018, Scholarship. Pilchuck Glass School. Seattle, USA
2017, Winner. Special Prize. SL Award. Stanislav Libenský Award Competition Exhibition. Dox Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czech Republic
2017, Finalist. SL Award. Stanislav Libenský Award Competition Exhibition 2017, Dox Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czech Republic
2017, Winner. Gold Award. China Academy of Art Degree Show, Hangzhou, China
2016, China National Scholarship, Chinese Government. Hangzhou, China
2016, The First Prize Scholarship, China Academy of Art. Hangzhou, China
2016, Merit Student, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
2015, Winner. Bronze Award. 2015 Craft Exhibition of China, Hangzhou International Exhibition Centre. Hangzhou, China
2015, Winner Most Excellent Student Award, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
2015, The First Prize Scholarship, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
2015, Merit Student, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
Funding
2017- 2019. The China Scholarship Council.
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibition:
2021–22
Jinya Zhao Solo Exhibition. Shanghai Museum of Glass. Shanghai. PRC. (planning) Jinya Zhao Solo Exhibition. Shanghai Craft Gallery. Shanghai. PRC. (planning) 2020.
Jinya Zhao Solo Exhibition - Almaden Country Day School. San Jose, USA.
2019.
Jinya Zhao Solo Exhibition. Carbondale, USA
2016.
See, but cannot see through - Jinya Zhao Solo Show. China Vanke Co., Ltd. Hangzhou, China
Group Exhibition:
2022.
· Future Heritage. Olympia London,s London. UK.
· Coburg Prize for Contemporary Glass 2022. Veste Coburg, the European Museum of Modern Glass. DE.
· The Expanding Horizons. International Festival of Glass. Stourbridge. UK.
2021.
· Nature Inside Art State. MAHÁ. Beijing. PRC.
· West Bund Art & Design Fair. Represented by Ting- Ying Gallery. West Bund Artistic Center. Shanghai. PRC.
· Towards a New Land: Tales of the Ancient Pavilion. 2021 Suzhou Garden Art Festival Contemporary Exhibition. Suzhou. PRC.
· Light Up. Taoxichuan Glass Art Centre, Jingdezhen. PRC.
· Crafting a Difference during London Craft Week. Represented by Ting-Ying Gallery. Argentine Ambassador’s Official Residence. London. UK.
· The Extraordinary Ordinary. AN+ Art & Design Center. Shenzhen. PRC.
· Artefact Fair. Represented by Ting- Ying Gallery. Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, London. UK.
· Ideal Fringes. Landblink Art Space. Shanghai. PRC.
· Glass Art Society Exhibition 2021. Seattle. USA.
· Omaggio. Milan Design Week, Milan. IT.
· Isolation 2020. San Mei Gallery. London. UK.
· Research Biennale 2021. Royal College of Art. London. UK.
· Crafting a Difference. Represented by Ting-Ying Gallery. SoShiro. London. UK.
· London Art Fair. Represented by Ting-Ying Gallery. London. UK.
· Collect 2021: International Art Fair for Modern Craft and Design. Represented by Ting- Ying Gallery. Somerset House. London. UK.
2020.
· Collect 2020: International Art Fair for Modern Craft and Design. Represented by Ting- Ying Gallery. Somerset House. London. UK.
· Milan Design Week. Milan. IT. (Cancelled due to Covid-19)
· Glass Art Society exhibition. Online.
· Eye Viewing Room. Represented by Ting-Ying Gallery. Online.
· Design Charity Funding. Delisart.com. Online.
· The Lost Place. Virtual Reality Exhibition. Online.
· Between. Genesis Beijing. Beijing. PRC.
· Young Master. London Glassblowing Gallery. London. UK.
· London Design Festival: Focus 20. Design Centre Chelsea Harbour. London. UK.
· Time, Suspended. The Gallery at Catherine Prevost. London. UK.
· The 7th Chengdu Creativity & Design Week. Chengdu. PRC.
· New Horizons. Coast Gallery. Zhuhai. PRC.
2019.
· Ceramics & Glass: Work in Progress Show. M.A., M.Phil. & Ph.D. Student Exhibition. Woo Building, Battersea Campus, Royal College of Art. London. UK.
· Rising Stars 2019. New Ashgate Gallery. Farnham. UK.
· Glass Art Society Exhibition 2019. Morean Arts Center. Saint Petersburg. USA.
· Material Statements. Dyson Gallery. London. UK.
· Miscellany. Preston Fitzgerald. London. UK.
· Cluster Craft. Ugly Duck. London. UK.
· VeniceLands ArtPrize. VeniceLands. IT.
· Creekside Open 2019. A·P·T Gallery. London. UK.
· Contemporary Young Artist Award 2019. The Biscuit Factory. Newcastle. UK.
· Inspired. London Glassblowing Gallery. London. UK.
· Beijing Art Fair. The Peninsula Hotel. Beijing. PRC.
· Royal College of Art Degree Show. Royal College of Art. London. UK.
· British Glass Biennale 2019. Glasshouse. Stourbridge. UK.
· Imagine Museum. Saint Petersburg. USA.
· Travers Smith CSR. London. UK.
· SL Award. Stanislav Libenský Award Competition Exhibition 2019. Dox Centre for Contemporary Art. Prague. CZ.
· Ireland Glass Biennale. Dublin Castle. Dublin. IE.
· The 6th Chengdu Creativity & Design Week. Chengdu. PRC.
Publications
Elle Decor China. p.68-69. 2022. Beijing. PRC.
Glass Art Society exhibition. P. 51. Seattle. USA.
Elle Decor Italia. p.48. 2020. Milan. IT.
New Glass Art and Architecture. p. 67. NO.4-2019. Eltville. DE.
Fusion & Crossover - The Contemporary Glass Art Triennale. p.127. Beijing. PRC.
CGS New Graduate Review 2019. Contemporary Glass Society. p.12. London. UK.
Emerging Potters. p.4. London. UK.
Inspired - London Glass Blowing. p.23. London. UK.
Material Statement. London. UK.
Rising Stars 2019. p.61. London. UK.
China Academy of Art A Journey of 90 Years. p. 21. 2018. Hangzhou. PRC.
Temperature Curve - Infuse. P.160. Hangzhou. PRC.
New Glass Art and Architecture. p. 45. NO.1-2018. Eltville. DE.
New Glass Review 39. p. 6-7. Corning Museum of Glass. 2018. USA.
2017 Yearbook of Chinese Art. p. 960-961. Chinese Contemporary Artist Association. Beijing. PRC.
Educational Art. No. 8. p. 51 2016. Beijing. PRC