Watching Stephanie Rew at work is to witness a rare and mesmerising process unfold. In this short film, she creates a new piece using the intricate and beautiful technique of verre églomisé painting and gilding on the reverse of glass.
Verre églomisé is a centuries-old method that requires exceptional precision and patience. Unlike traditional painting, the image is built in reverse, with each layer carefully applied in the opposite order to how it will ultimately be seen.
Gilding, mark-making, and painted details must be planned and executed with complete confidence, as there is little room for correction once the process begins.
What makes this technique so compelling is its relationship with light. Viewed from the front, the finished work appears luminous and richly layered, shifting subtly as light moves across the surface.
The glass acts as both a barrier and a magnifier, giving the work a depth and clarity that feels almost jewel-like.
Stephanie’s practice brings a contemporary sensitivity to this historic craft, balancing control with spontaneity and tradition with modern expression. The result is work that feels timeless yet distinctly of the present moment.
Watch more here: https://youtube.com/shorts/LENU6MWXJm4?si=wxJ2dgO2fDqk4iUv
View all works using Verre Églomisé:
https://privateviews.artlogic.net/2/cd9101fb287cf61ad75bbf/
