My artworks are mainly one-off public or privately commissioned site-specific stained and architectural glass installations, murals and structures. Materials used cover a variety of flat and processed glasses often in combination with other elements. The techniques I can draw from spread across a wide range of activity including the use of paints, stains, enamels, lustres, gilding, acid etching, sandblasting, screen-print, airbrush, cold processes and heat-forming. Many of my projects are achieved in studios abroad dedicated for the purpose of assisting artists with their work. A great exchange of artists from all parts of the world pass through these doors to accomplish their many and varied projects. My approach is exploratory and experimental. Unique and original works of both internal and external applications have been achieved by closely liaising with clients who include private individuals, architects, designers, city councils etc. Each project brings with it the clear vision and original thought which is a marker of my distinctive style and approach. Engaging with an idea which at best is supported by a well-informed and trusting client - this is most important - is equally valuable to myself as having brought my own Muse on into new pastures, fresh, worthy, derivative only of my own evolving aspirations in the restless fields of constant search.
My artworks are mainly one-off public or privately commissioned site-specific stained and architectural glass installations, murals and structures. Materials used cover a variety of flat and processed glasses often in combination with other elements. The techniques I can draw from spread across a wide range of activity including the use of paints, stains, enamels, lustres, gilding, acid etching, sandblasting, screen-print, airbrush, cold processes and heat-forming. Many of my projects are achieved in studios abroad dedicated for the purpose of assisting artists with their work. A great exchange of artists from all parts of the world pass through these doors to accomplish their many and varied projects. My approach is exploratory and experimental. Unique and original works of both internal and external applications have been achieved by closely liaising with clients who include private individuals, architects, designers, city councils etc. Each project brings with it the clear vision and original thought which is a marker of my distinctive style and approach. Engaging with an idea which at best is supported by a well-informed and trusting client - this is most important - is equally valuable to myself as having brought my own Muse on into new pastures, fresh, worthy, derivative only of my own evolving aspirations in the restless fields of constant search.
I look back at the work of my tutors and the work of their tutors and wistfully consider my own progress in terms of a 20th C lineage. I inherit a skeleton which I clothe with my own mantle. Art can be taught in a shed…
Born Edinburgh 1948. Studied at Edinburgh College of Art 1966-1970, post-graduate study 1971, awards and bursaries 1972. Head of stained/architectural glass degree course at ECA 1979-2000. Fellow of the British Society of Master Glass Painters, London. External examiner at University of Wales 2002-2005. Chair of judging panel and seminar for annual national ‘Stevens’ competition, Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass, London (2003-2014)
Activities/Exhibitions
2016 Short-listed for a new window at Glasgow Cathedral
2016 Lecture: A 20c lineage: my work in context, for Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design
2016 Lumieres du Monde, Centre Internacionale du Vitrail, Chartres, France
2014 Lecture: the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Window, Worshipful Company of Glaziers, London
2014 One of 2 artists finally short-listed for OBE centenary window, St Paul’s Cathedral, London
2013 Lecture and seminar to staff and PG students at St Andrew’s University, Institute for
Theology, Imagination and the Arts (ITIA)
2012 Glass Games, Swansea Museum and Art Gallery, Wales
2011 Delivered a paper on personal project innovations at international conference, Belgium
2007 Sculpture Exhibition, Botanic Gardens, Dublin
2005 Munchener Seccession, nine international artists, Munich, London
2005 Delivered lecture at international conference, Reykjavik, Iceland
2003 Past and Present Futures, one-man show, GlasKunst Galerie, Paderborn, Germany
1999 Group show, Museum of Contemporary Art, Kyoto, Japan
1998 Auf der Suche nach dem Licht der Welt, private collection touring Europe. (UK 1999, 2000)
1997 Glass, Light and Space, British Crafts Council Gallery, London. Toured UK 1998
Lecture tours in Poland - 1993,1997
Occasional exhibitor at Royal Scottish Academy and RSW
Commissioned Work
2016 Memorial artwork to north aisle, St Columba’s Blackhall, Edinburgh
2016 Work incorporated into Library Dome, University of Wales
2012 400 years, centenary installation to south wall, Dirleton Kirk, East Lothian
2012 HM the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Window, The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy, London
2012 Wall installation and co-ordinated glass-wall artwork, St Aidan’s, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
2011 3-part artwork, front door, entrance area, wall poem, Abbey Church, North Berwick
2009 Sandblasted glass wall and 4 bonded windows, Dean Parish Church, Edinburgh
2008 Wall-mounted composite installation, Edinburgh City Council Chambers, Edinburgh
2008 Installation of nine freestanding units in historic glass-house, Glasgow Botanic Garden
2005 Large entrance screen and 2 windows, St Stephen’s Comely Bank Church, Edinburgh
2004 2-part glass installation in reception area, Baillie Gifford Offices, Edinburgh
2003 Raasay Stone - gallery screen artwork, Craigmillar Park Church, Edinburgh
2001 Two large stained and painted windows St Philip’s Church, Joppa, Edinburgh (Saltire
Award)
Awards
2016 Recognition nationally by the Radcliffe Trust for contribution to Art and Architecture.
2008 Installed as a Freeman of the City of London
2001 Saltire Society “Art in Architecture”
Books
2016 "Lumiere du Monde”, Chartres, France, 2016 (French, German, English)
2006 “Contemporary Stained Glass Artists” – Kate Baden-Fuller, publisher Blacks
2005 “Broken Glass – Glas in Kunst und Architektur” (German/Dutch only), publisher Wienand
1999 “Glass: an inspirational portfolio” – Jera May Morton, publisher Watson Guptill, New York
1990 “The Beauty of Stained Glass” – Patrick Reyntiens, publisher Herbert Press
1985 A Guide to Stained Glass in Britain – Painton Cowen, publisher Michael Joseph
Catalogues
“Glass games”, British Society of Master Glass Painters, Swansea 2012
“40cm2”, British Society of Master Glass Painters, London 2008
“30cm2”, British Society of Master Glass Painters, London 2004
“Das Farbige Licht” 2001
Museum of Contemporary Art, Kyoto, Japan 1999
“Glass Light and Space” British Crafts Council, London 1997
“New British Glass” Centre du Vitrail, France 1984
Articles have appeared in a number of national and international publications