Jessica Tsai

Jessica Tsai
Philadelphis, PA United States

Flameworked borosilicate glass, mixed media
My inspiration was to recreate this plant in its dried state when the bright red calyx has disappeared leaving a very delicate skeletal network behind and revealing the red berry inside. I wanted to make this plant because it looks like the red paper lantern in Chinese culture and has uses in traditional Chinese medicine. Also the dried version of it is much more interesting to me than when it is fresh. I wanted to challenge myself to network a structure with stringers as thin as I could make it. The red berry inside is blown hollow. The piece is sandblasted and painted with oil paint. Tissue paper and adhesive is used to mimic leftover dried bits of the calyx.

Dimensions: 2 x 4 x 2 inches