Free Essence 32, 2013

Japanese artist Ikuta Niyoko’s 2 Ku (Free Essence 32), 2013, seeks to capture "the complexity of light as it reflects, refracts and passes through broken cross sections of sheet glass". She produced it by making a sketch, then setting to work with a glass-cutter, making thin sheets of laminated glass. The pieces of glass were then attached together using a special adhesive that became transparent with ultraviolet light. The centre of the 'wave' seems to be empty but is in fact solid glass, relating to the Buddhist concept of emptiness.

Whereas Eastern faiths seek to vacate or empty the mind, Western religions, of which the gospel might be numbered, would rather fill the soul with God’s truth. Removing darkness from a human heart is not sufficient; one must rather fill it with light and radiance. Christ, the light of the world, not only rids us of Satan’s dark lies, but bathes us in His truth. By reflecting His glory, we ennoble and beautify ourselves, much like this wondeful object. In the dark, Niyoko’s work is just another piece of kitchenware; in the light, it is a work of art.

Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:14