Frangipani by Hemi Bawa
Hemi Bawa will be showcasing a glass installation at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2024 in Goa! Her work will be featured in the exhibition Past Forward: Remix and Collaboration in Ceramics and Glass , curated by Kristine Michael
Venue: Directorate of Accounts, Behind Old Secretariat, Fazenda Building, Panaji, Goa 403001
Inspired by the abundant frangipani trees she has planted around her home in Delhi and Goa, Hemi draws upon their beauty for her glass tree creations. The elegant curves and delicate blooms of the frangipani, which are a common sight throughout her surroundings, serve as a constant source of inspiration. Their intricate forms are reflected in her glasswork, capturing the essence of these beloved trees in each piece. Hemi’s glass trees are a tribute to the natural beauty of the frangipani, bringing the serenity and charm of her Goan garden into each handcrafted design.
Hemi Bawa has ingeniously used recycled glass from shattered and broken windscreens to create the artisanal leaves for her glass tree. She has chosen to depict the tree with only leaves, as she feels this best represents the tree’s evergreen and timeless nature. The bark is meticulously crafted from fibreglass and resins, treated with scratching techniques to achieve a realistic texture and appearance.Each piece is fired and created in her furnace in Goa, embodying her enduring connection to the frangipani tree. At the base of the tree, Hemi has used mirrors to reflect light and the nuances of the tree, symbolising the reflections in life that she associates with her stays in Goa.
Hemi Bawa has nurtured and developed a team of five artisans who have worked with her for over twenty-five years, guided by her creative vision in her studios in Faridabad and Goa. She has steadfastly mentored them, fostering their skills and artistic growth. The industrial setting of Faridabad allows her to operate five furnaces, providing the capacity needed for her extensive glasswork, while her smaller furnace in Goa is perfectly suited for creating the intricate leaves.
This long-term collaboration and shared expertise have culminated in creating truly unique and evocative glass artworks. These pieces reflect the natural beauty of their subjects and the exceptional artisanal skill of Hemi and her dedicated team.
