Glass Sculpture
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Spiral 3
(glass, light, mixed media h=200mm) Marquette
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The Origins:
Around 1990 I was working in my studio in Haworth, Yorkshire, on a glass renovation project for a manor house in the area. I had to make 30 leaded panels to replace the old and damaged ones. Part of the process is to cut as much of the glass as possible in one go, speeding up the whole process. As I worked cutting the glass I stacked up the offcuts at one end of the bench which as it happened was next to a window.
As I stopped for a well earned rest and a cuppa, I noted that the sun was shining in through that very window and catching the glass stacked there. The effect was illuminating. I suddenly realised that as well as the body of a piece of glass holding much interest the edges could also do the same.
I began to design and make delicate glass sculptures that would catch the light as it played across the broken and often sharp edges. I was fascinated with the concept of using a solid material (although some would argue that glass is not a solid) and by cutting and stacking I could give it a fluid and organic feel.
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Strider
(glass, light, mixed media h=340mm) Private Commission
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So that was how I moved into glass sculpture. It took a few more years
to really get started with the process and a return to college to give
me the time and freedom to experiment. As I moved on I began to incorporate other techniques sand-blasting, glass painting, mirror and of course light.
I continued to work in stained glass along side my sculptural work and both practices in tandem complimented each other as I work one pinging ideas into the other. It was a great way to work for me and a I was fortunate to come across customers who were prepared to go on this journey with me. They allowed me to design bespoke leaded panels that at times took on a more sculptural element.
Unfortunately around that time the mill housing my studio suffered a terrible fire. I lost everything. Years of hard work and all my materials all went up in flame in that one night. this was the point were I decided to return to college. This would allow me the time to develop my interests and experiment further.
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Glass Panel 12
(glass, paint, mixed media h=600mm, w=600mm, d=40mm) Private Commission
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I was lucky enough to get back into Chelsea College of Art and Design (previously Chelsea School of Art) were I studied for a further year honing my skills to another level. The Stained Glass trade had given me the discipline college was not allowing me to break those rules to develop into new areas of design and interest.
Today I still work utilising the techniques I developed back then whilst developing new ones to push the media. I still get the same buzz I used to when I view a finished panel or sculpture for the first time upon completion.
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