Recent commissions include large bespoke focal point bowls and functional platters
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After studying Drawing and Painting at Glasgow School of Art and working as a professional book cover artist for 5 years, Brian decided to try his hand at making a stained glass panel and after attending a stained glass course at Glasgow School of Art and realising how much he loved the medium of glass, he decided that would be his journey….to study, design and make stained glass panels. Utilising techniques that have been around for centuries, Brian strives to create beautiful, evocative and atmospheric stained glass. Using techniques such as acid etched glass, high fired paint, enamel and silver stain, Brian strives to create very high standard stained glass panels for exhibition and for his commissioned work.
He also is involved in doing restoration work varying from private residential to ecclesiastical projects.
Recently, he has completed various restoration projects and a large commission for an Arts and Crafts set of stained glass windows in Helensburgh. Currently he is working on a stained glass commission of an allegorical harvest scene for a house in London, He lives and works in Glasgow.
My life long love of glass is reflected in my studio practice comprises of three elements:
The creation of customer led commissions in traditionally painted, stained and etched leaded panels that can be installed in windows or backlit frames,
The delivery of workshops to secondary school classes, community groups and individuals intended to inspire the next generation of glass artist,
The creation of exhibition pieces that express my exploration of theological, historical and environmental subjects.
Pre Covid-19 lockdown, I completed a 14 week program of workshops with a central Scotland secondary school, delivering to years 1 to 6. The program incorporated all elements of the curriculum and delivered a broad body of work that included a 4m long stained glass window design into a local hospice, a public exhibition and sale of work which raised funds for the local hospice, evidence for Advanced Higher portfolio submissions, community partnerships and a sustainable model for continued learning.
casting, cutting, engraving
Graduated from the Art High School of Stanisław Wyspiański in Jelenia Góra in 2015.
The diploma she made at the Faculty of Ceramics and Glass and at the Faculty of Sculpture and Art Mediation at The E.Geppert Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, 2022.
Scholarships: Mayor of Wrocław for artistic achievements, 2016–2021 (PL); Rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, 2016–2020; Minister of Culture and National Heritage in Poland, 2017, 2019; ERASMUS +, Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava, 2019; Marshal of Lower Silesia for the implementation of the project “Gold of Lower Silesia in a thousand flowers”, 2022; the Mayor of Wrocław for the implementation of the project “Wrocław – My Glass City”, 2022;the Mayor of Kraków 2023;
The winner of The Glass Prize 2019 in the The Aspiring Glass Artist category, organized by Warm Glass UK; 2nd place in the competition “Młodzi na Start 2020”, organized by the editors of the ELLE Decoration magazine; 1st place in the “Inspirations” competition, organized by the PALETA Contemporary Art Foundation in Warsaw, 2022;Nówka Sztuka 2022 from Foundation State of Poland Student Nobel in the Art category in a cyclical competition organized by the Independent Students’ Association; Alexander Tutsek Stiftung Award for the implementation of the glass blowing course at the Bild-Werk Frauenau Academy, 2022
The artist had three individual exhibitions in Poland and took part in about 70 collective exhibitions in Poland and abroad: Germany, Italy, France, Singapore, Czech Republic, Slovakia, USA, Ukraine, incl. as part of The Venice Glass Week as a finalist of the HUB Under35 competition, 2021, Venice, Italy.
The company was inspired by the attack on the working class and the decimation of British manufacturing by the then Thatcher Government. The loss of skills in working people James saw as a huge threat to the future health and wealth of Britain. James was a multi faceted working Artist, creating art in many different media. He worked upon the principle that Artists should be self sufficient and not sponging, taking monies from hard working people, of all races and backgrounds. This was a controversial approach and caused him conflict with the ‘Bristol’ Art community at the time. To survive James had created work in Metal, Glass, Print, Photography & Sound. His work was speculative yet sold regularly in exhibitions in galleries both in Bristol and London. The company was set as an artistic installation for a single exhibition. It became obvious to James that Bristol Blue Glass as an entity itself, had longevity. James at the time had a working studio set upon the principles that he had learnt after extensive study of Ruskin, Morris and their craft industry. James also studied the Weimar republic 1923, their principles of design, function and production and also took from the concept of Warhol’s art factory.
Contrary to immediate impressions of a standard company, Bristol Blue Glass still adheres to these principals to this day. It is a three dimensional entity, built around the employees, who are encouraged to act, create, behave and think like Artists. Teaching them not only glass making skill but life skills, that translate across a wide spectrum. When members move on from the company, often it is to strike out on their own, this we encourage whole heartedly as we wish to promote the personal development of everyone we come into contact with. .
Creativity is the backbone of Bristol Blue Glass without it we fail, this is a unique concept and even though James is no longer here daily, his principals are still with us. When health permits he still teaches and makes ‘Art Glass’.
We are proud to say this, our current team of Hot glass Artists are lauded and respected globally, glass makers beat a path to our work shops to be trained by our Master Glass makers, these skills take over 10 years to perfect, Without making a fuss over the past 34 years Bristol Blue Glass has been the acme of British glass making training, selflessly teaching skills that were almost lost. The facility alone is a valuable asset to the wider Art community, as artists both working and not working in glass hire the studios and utilise our glass makers as their technicians to achieve their works. This is an aspect we will encourage to garner deeper relationships within the wider art community.
As a recognised and accomplished glass artist Stewart is able to focus on limited edition and unique pieces which is what he enjoys making the most. In addition to this work, he produces glass for a range of clients and in various capacities.