One of Britain’s highly recognised hot glassblowers, renown for high quality work, skilfully made forms, with the highest attention to detail and innovative colour work and surface treatments. His designs offer a fresh and tactile approach.
Martin graduated from West Surrey College of Art and Design in 1991 with a BA (hons) Glass. He was then based in London as a glass artist. In 2000 he launched his current workshop at the Ruskin Glass Centre in Stourbridge, where visitors can purchase work from his gallery.
Martin has been producing hand blown glass over 15 years. His work has been exhibited at international level and in noted exhibitions in Germany, Holland, Scandinavia, Canada and the USA, alongside many exhibitions at home in the UK. He has also worked on commissions for hotels, architectural projects, film and television companies, corporate awards and restoration work. Martin supplies galleries throughout the UK and internationally.
Each piece is made by hand and signed by Martin. His work is often inspired by the earth’s natural forms and architecture, geometric patterns, movement and power. Most recently, he was stimulated to produce a new body of work from a fascinating trip to Borneo. As Martin is working with the glass he attempts to freeze a moment in time, capturing the very essence of the moving material that is molten glass.
Martin explores the qualities of the molten glass, clear and coloured, manipulating this amazing material at temperatures up to 1150 degrees centigrade. Investigating the relationship between light and a given form has been a continual theme throughout his career.
In addition he also creates unique sculptured architectural work. He has produced some exciting work with architects and interior designers, which recently includes:
Decorative etched windows for schools
Commemorative coloured windows for hospitals
Working with interior designers on bespoke designs for private residences, hotels and corporate clients
Ecclesiastical work, including architectural pieces
Glassblowing lessons
We offer beginners and intermediate lessons, as evening classes and full day courses.This course is intended to introduce you to the wonderful and amazing properties of molten glass.
This takes place at Martin’s workshop at The Ruskin Glass Centre in Stourbridge. He has been providing glassblowing lessons for over 20 years, in addition to making his own work. Martin aims to provide an individualised teaching for each student.
The emphasis on the class will be to provide you with hands on experience. You will cover the basics of hot glass making within the workshop including: gathering, shaping and forming the glass at 1050 degrees centigrade. Learning to develop hand eye co-ordination and rhythm to turn, stretch and control the molten glass. You will start making solid forms and paperweights, before progressing to blowing the glass to create bowls, vases and other forms.
Through demonstrations and close supervision, you will quickly gain a basic understanding of the molten glass and gain confidence in being able to manipulate this amazing syrupy material.
Working in a small team of usually no more than two people, you will set out to discover different approaches to working with the hot glass. You will explore form, texture, colour and pattern to create a series of solid and blown items. You will learn about the movement, timing and communication needed by the glassmaker to create original and inspiring pieces.
This one-day class, or series of classes will allow you to develop your own ideas. The emphasis will be on individual attention for each student to enable you to play, investigate and realise your ideas. Naturally you get to keep your artistic creations.
We hope you will find this an enjoyable experience and may want to explore it further. We are happy to teach individuals with any level of experience and complete beginners. Classes are normally limited to two people.
Evening Lesson: 6-9 pm cost @ £135.00 per person
Full day lesson 10-5pm @ £245.00
As a special present Gift vouchers are available.
The cost includes tuition, materials and use of tools. Payment is required with booking.
We can also cater for corporate and group bookings.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Best wishes Martin
The Ruskin Glass Centre, Wollaston Rd, Stourbridge. West Midlands. DY8 4HF
Tel: 01384 399462
