Burning Light was the first solo exhibition of Julia Bickerstaff’s work in 20 years. After studying at Leeds College of Art, Bickerstaff spent two decades evolving her craft working with neon glass making with precision and passion, culminating in a mastery of glass manipulation and flame working.
Glass, a material used for centuries to shape and control light, became her medium for exploring its emotional and physical dimensions and the warmth, clarity and meaning of light became at the heart of Bickerstaff’s practice.
Bickerstaff’s work is deeply personal, drawn from a lived experience of diversity and inner conflict. Each piece reflects her journey, blending engineering expertise with artistic expression to create objects that are as thought-provoking as they are luminous.
Burning Light was a rare glimpse into the mind of an artist who has spent two decades honing her craft. Her solo exhibition invited visitors to engage with light in its many forms: as an idea, as a feeling, as a material. Neon, with its unmistakable glow, plays a central role. Its vibrant, familiar presence contrasts with the more nuanced and intricate glasswork, challenging the viewer to reconsider what light means. Humour and provocation also find their place within her work, as they reflect the artist’s satirical take on how we see and read light, while others delve into the frustrations and revelations of her journey with the medium.
