“24” Glass by Paola Petrobelli at Libby Sellers

Gallery Libby Sellers on Berners Street, London W1 is a stone’s throw away from the Sanderson hotel and will soon be joined by the Edition, another hotel from Ian Schrager. What I want to tell you about though is the new exhibition showing glass work by Paola Petrobelli, on till the 14th June.

Originally trained as a molecular biologist, she turned to designing in glass, working with Murano glass blowers, in 1999. She concentrates on functional objects such as the lighting collection shown. The principle here is the combination of modules, much like Meccano with the contrast of  colour, opacity and transparency transfiguring the quality of light. They’re contemporary and very cheerful pieces, optimistic and playful, referencing the Memphis Group.

Photos by Gideon Hart courtesy of Gallery Libby Sellers.