Polyphony

Polyphony means a musical texture composed of multiple melodies that merge to form a harmony. Similar to melodies, the array of fused glass and sculpted ceramic on the wall pieces come together to form a dance between hard and soft, synthetic and organic. In a world of mass production where strict requirements dictate the forms of objects, Barry liberates materials by allowing them to crack, morph and melt. From puckering glass to overflowing metal, the pieces embody the materials in their native world.  

Starting with remnants from a bygone era of ornamentalism, Barry takes old textured glass from broken windows, and decorative tin plaques from scrap yards to see how these materials and craft techniques can be reimagined for our contemporary age. By melting the fragments of broken glass they reawake, and mingle with one another to form new diverse relationships and patterns. Through heat, the tin plaques also reach a molten state, relieving their former appearance so they can take on more fluid, organic forms respective of the material’s natural tendencies.

By viewing each wall piece as an independent organism, Barry composes it’s elements to meet the piece’s needs. For example, one of the pieces uses solar to store energy, and illuminates itself when it gets dark. Another piece uses a series of switches to add tactility to changing the colour and intensity of the light. 

In a time when our domestic environment is dominated by straight edges, standardisation and efficiency, Barry believes it’s important to embrace more organic form languages that reflect the rhythm of the natural world, albeit in an unprecedented way.

Starting price €900,-

Lead time: In stock

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