David Reekie portraiture commission

Renowned sculptor and glass artist, David Reekie, has completed his first portraiture commission for major glass collector, Mark Holford.

David has travelled the world giving workshops and lectures on lost wax glass casting and his work is held in museums worldwide, including the V&A in London.

The idea for the commission came about in 2023, during a summer break in France. Mark had invited David and his wife Pam to stay with him at his villa.

Mark suggested the idea of a glass sculpture showing himself and David in conversation – as artist and collector.

David was intrigued by the idea but nervous about taking on a commission involving portraiture.

When he returned to the UK, he started some preliminary sketches and conducted a photography session with Mark. However, he did not start on the piece until 2024.

“I used the lost wax casting technique to form the glass figures and recorded the whole process of making the piece from start to finish,” David explained. “The work progressed well and I finished it by early 2025. I was very pleased with the resulting artwork.”

Mark is also delighted with the artwork and said: “While staying with us in Nice, David gave me a pencil portrait of myself. This started the conversation, which became an idea, which became a commission and is now a reality.

“The result is stunning and celebrates my long and fruitful relationship with David over many years. Long may it continue.”

The glass sculpture, ‘A Thoughtful Moment Between Artist and Collector’ now sits proudly in Mark Holford’s collection, alongside other pieces by David.

Mark has been a glass collector since he was two-and-a-half years old, when his mother gave him his first piece, a 1953 coronation goblet. His collection stands at over 250 pieces, a third of which is on permanent loan to The World of Glass in St Helens, Merseyside. Mark is the patron of the museum as well as being patron of the Contemporary Glass Society and the Guild of Glass Engravers.

Visit David Reekie’s website here: https://www.davidreekie.com

You can also read this CGS interview with David Reekie.

Image: The finished commission by David Reekie.