Artist Statement
Shandra McLane
Technique and Process
Glass fusing is a very old technique. Over 4000 years ago people were already
fusing pieces of glass together. However the invention and widespread
introduction to glass blowing during the 1st century B.C. meant that, in a relatively
short period, glass fusing became a forgotten art. One could say that for 2000
years had been a common technique and then for 2000 years it was not used at
all. The technique of glass fusing was re-invented or re-discovered in the 1950’s
by acknowledged pioneers Frances and Michael Higgins from New York.
The term ‘fusing’ refers to the technique where several pieces of glass, usually of
different colors, are melted together in a kiln, which creates a unified piece of
glass. Shandra McLane’s work takes several firings to achieve their rich intensity
and complexity of color, pattern, and form. She begins by taking sheets of hand
rolled glass, and from these she cuts patterns, fits the different parts together,
and finally melts them into one sheet in the kiln. The process which involves
temperatures up to 900 degrees celcius can take anywhere from 24-48 hours.
Once she has achieved a flat sheet, it is ready for a final firing when the form and
shape of the object is created.