Cellular Glass Sculpture ‘Life Cycle 9’ by Steve Frey Glass

Enthralling cellular glass sculpture by talented cold glass working specialist Steve Frey.

Part of the ‘Life Cycle’ series, inspired by the natural wonder of evolution, this piece can be seen as either the first division of the cell from one to two, or the sprouting of a plant from the seed pod. The allegorical nature of the piece allows you to make your own interpretation.

The green and yellow colours are the colours of life’s beginning, deep within the cytochrome and flavin of the mitochondria. Evolution and the start of the next life cycle, happening right before your eyes.

Click on the artist’s name below to see the whole ‘Life Cycle’ series.

Cellular Glass Sculpture Artist

Artist Steve Frey hails from George, in South Africa, but now lives in the south west UK.

His illustrious glass career began at age 16 with a career at Dartington Crystal in Torrington, UK. Starting in 1976, he learned the trade and became proficient in cold-working glass. In total, he served 18 years at the Dartington Glassworks, equipping himself with every technique a master glassmaker needs to go out on their own.

After leaving Dartington, Steve worked self-employed, mainly for other artists, but yearned to sculpt his own cold glass work.

In 2004, Steve set up his own cold glass workshop, where he was able to explore the love of glass he forged at Dartington with complete artistic freedom. He also offered a finishing service for his fellow artists.

Steve has exhibited widely in exhibitions and galleries in the UK and Europe. His glass sculptures have been showcased at the British Glass Biennale, the Royal College of Arts, and Somerset Art Week in the UK, as well as in the Netherlands, Frauenau, Germany, and Burgdorf, Switzerland.

Steve Frey Glass Artist Statement

My work is inspired by human evolution, and our life cycle.

The continuous cutting, which has no beginning and no end, reflects our life cycle, whereby our basic makeup is inherited and passed on through generations. These traits can be recognised generations apart, and are reflected in my sculptures.

I conjure images inspired by femininity, masculinity, and natural symmetry, and refine the ideas before ‘going to the wheel’.

The simple forms are my canvas, on which I carve to maximum effect, creating optical mystery and thought-provoking visions. Each piece is unique, yet they are all connected.