CGS silver jubilee exhibition celebrates Past, Present and Future

To celebrate its quarter century of representing and promoting contemporary glass, the Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) is presenting a three-month-long exhibition entitled, ‘CGS at 25: Past, Present, the Future’ at the new Stourbridge Glass Museum.

From humble beginnings 25 years ago, CGS has developed into a thriving and proactive society supporting a membership of over 1,100 British and international contemporary glass artists.

This exhibition tells the history of both CGS and the world through glass artwork from the past 25 years. It covers a range of techniques by 25 of the UK’s greatest glass artists.

Artists represented in the exhibition include founding members of the CGS, such as Peter Layton of London Glassblowing, the legendary Keith Cummings who has taken kiln-formed glass to new heights, renowned casters David Reekie and Colin Reid, Alison Kinnaird MBE, Catherine Hough, Sally Fawkes and engraver Katharine Coleman MBE.

This roll call of excellence continues with the unique technical skills of Anthony Scala, Gilles Jones, Angela Jarman, Max Jacquard and Bruno Romanelli.

The Present is represented by the glass of Cathryn Shilling, Ayako Tani, James Maskrey, Jo Mitchell, Nancy Sutcliffe, Nina Casson McGarva, Frans Wesselman, Jeff Zimmer and Keiko Mukaide.

The emerging stars include the pâte de verre of Joshua Kerley, Elliot Walker (winner of season two of Netflix’s ‘Blown Away’ tv glass competition), and Chris Day, winner of the commission sponsored by CGS and Stourbridge Museum.

In addition, CGS introduces its graduate glass prize winner for 2021, Erica Poyser, as a clarion call for the next generation of contemporary glass artists.

The exhibition demonstrates the development of contemporary glass processes and concepts and looks into the future with work from emerging contemporary glass artists. It highlights a diverse range of glassmaking processes, including blown, cast, engraved, stained, pate de verre, digitally cut and designed glass, lampworking and kiln-formed.

Susan Purser Hope, Chair of CGS, commented, “This cornucopia of glass delights reflects the dynamism and sheer talent of contemporary glass in this country which has blossomed over the last 25 years. ‘CGS at 25: Past, Present, the Future’ marks a seminal moment in the creative history of the United Kingdom and is not to be missed!”

The exhibition opens on 23 July 2022 and runs until 30 October 2022 at the Stourbridge Glass Museum, Stuart Works, High Street, Stourbridge, DY8 4FB. More information on Stourbridge Glass museum via the website: www.stourbridgeglassmuseum.org.uk

Main image: ‘Cello R1345’, cast glass by Colin Reid.