Tracy Nicholls

Perfectly Imperfect — edges crumble, surfaces pit, and cracks and voids begin to emerge.

Working from her studio in Southwest London, Tracy creates kiln-formed glass sculptures that explore themes of erosion, deterioration, and fragility. Her work is inspired by the traces left behind through these processes and the intricate structures that endure despite them.

Rejecting the qualities most commonly associated with glass—transparency, brilliance, and high shine—Tracy embraces a restrained monochrome palette and opaque materials. Through the transformative heat of the kiln, she manipulates and distorts the glass, navigating the tension between careful planning and unexpected outcomes. By pushing the material to its physical limits, she reveals delicate forms shaped equally by intention and chance.

Layered constructions and the interplay of light further enrich each piece. As light filters through undulating apertures and reflects within hidden curves, depth, shadow, and subtle luminosity emerge. The result is a quiet yet compelling aesthetic that draws attention to the beauty found in imperfection and the often-overlooked details of decay.