Jessica Murtagh: in the garden of eden, Honey

In the garden of Eden, honey presents a new body of blown glass works by Tarndanya-Adelaide artist Jessica Murtagh that celebrates the beauty, complexity and abundance of the natural world. Inspired by the flowing forms of the Art Nouveau movement and the rich decorative traditions of stained glass, the exhibition features large-scale rondels and sculptural works adorned with intricate botanical imagery.

Through engraving, sandblasting and subtle applications of precious metal leaf and glass enamel, Murtagh creates layered compositions that shift with changing light and perspective. Leaves, flowers and trailing vines emerge across transparent surfaces, inviting viewers to look closely and discover hidden details within the imagery. Drawing on a lifelong love of gardening and an appreciation for ornament and beauty, Murtagh explores the enduring appeal of botanical imagery and the ways light can animate and transform a surface. 

Jessica Murtagh, Golden Gingko III (detail), 2024, blown glass, 24k gold leaf, sandblasted and engraved, Photographer: Jesse Reagon