Growing from glass
- Bronson creates 3D paintings of flowers encased in glass
- He worked several years as a data scientist before committing to his craft
- His painted pieces take shape through many layers of glass and pigment
Like a long-exposure image recreating the motion of plants, Bronson Shonk’s dimensional glass paintings suggest the idea of metamorphosis. Fascinated by processes of growth and transformation, he began exploring the ideas in high school, experimenting with plexiglass layered over photographs. Following this thread, Bronson’s practice has evolved over time, from black and white drawings to painting, and eventually merging the two together. His practice has returned to glass, extending into three dimensions. “My process involves working with layers of glass, carving into the surface and staining the lines with pigment,” he explains. Bronson’s works depict flowers and organic forms at different stages of development, leaning on nature as a quiet metaphor for change.
INTERVIEW
I learned a lot from my mentor, who was a painter. Being in his studio and watching him work was essential. There is something about witnessing the process in person that you cannot fully understand until you see it firsthand. It gave me a framework to start from, though I eventually had to find my own way of working.
I started with black and white drawing, and this has evolved over time. At the beginning, colour felt like too many variables, so I focused more on form. With time, I have come to appreciate the complexity of working in colour. The more I develop my eye, the more I start to see it everywhere.
I aim to create something new that feels meaningful and comes naturally. I try to stay open, looking at different kinds of painting and sculpture, and paying attention to what draws me in. Those elements find their way back into my work, in a different form.
My creative life has been shaped by many small moments rather than a single defining event. It is largely about people, especially those who genuinely want to support my work. Working with my mentor was a turning point, as was meeting the artists who introduced me to galleries along the way.
