Elizabeth Kent

The light tamer

• Elizabeth is inspired by visual effects of light and reflective space
• She masters the verre églomisé techniques
• She works on commissions and enjoys the exchange with clients

It is all about light in Elizabeth Kent’s work, a mirror artist exploring lightscapes and reflections. Elizabeth developed her craft practice after studying fine arts, combining techniques, research, and training with a verre églomisé specialist. She learned how to cut glass and apply fine layers of metal to glass. Elizabeth makes works out of her London studio which she opened in 2017, the year she made her first mirror work. Elizabeth generally builds the surface of her pieces back to front and in reverse order, in a demanding process of layering and blending metal and polychromes by hand. She works alone and enjoys the interaction with clients, turning an idea into a one-of-a-kind piece, to keep and enjoy.

Interview

©Christina Haisen

©Elizabeth Kent

How traditional is your craft?

My work intertwines historic forms of mirror making with industrial processes for cutting and etching glass. I also like to innovate and combine these techniques through continuous experimentation with these elements and visual ideas I develop through drawing and photography.

Which are the techniques you master?

The ones associated with the craft of verre églomisé, where paint and metal leaf are layered on the reverse side of glass. I also work with hand silvering glass which is a historical mirror making technique in which thin layers of silver solution are poured onto glass.

How do you apply these techniques to your work?

Most of my works combine reflective metals and paint or pigment through layering. Others involve building up the reflective surface with metal leaf or hand silvering. I also make pieces by transforming a standard mirror and working an image into it.

What is your connection with light?

I am inspired by the observation of light interacting with natural forms, including reflection and spatial dualities. I enjoy working with reflective materials due to the potential of creating a visually ‘live’ surface that involves the participation of the viewer into the work.

Elizabeth Kent is a rising star: she began her career in 2017 and she started teaching in 2022

Works

©Elizabeth Kent

©Elizabeth Kent

©Elizabeth Kent

Where

Experiences

Craft your own mirror using verre églomisé techniques in London

1 Day

100 GBP per person

Introduction to mirror glass gilding in London

3 Hours

75 GBP per person