‘The Perfect Vessel’ with Karl Harron
Dates: 22nd – 28th May 2017
Form: “...by which shape is determined, as distinguished from the material of which it is composed, giving it individuality and a distinctive character”.
The aim of this 7-day class is to achieve a “sublime form”. The process is to discard the superfluous and to identify and develop a personal concept. The result will be a form that is the simple expression of a complex thought and students will be encouraged to adopt a sculptural approach to their work - a search for form and push their glass in a new direction rather than master a technique. In order to develop your aesthetic and conceptual perspective, while negotiating the technical challenges of deep-slumping into 3-step ceramic moulds, we will begin with an introductory presentation given by Karl, early on the first morning of class. Students will challenge themselves further by designing a piece of work made of only two colours of reactive opalescent Bullseye sheet glass, with mark-making realised through the application of accessory glasses such as frits, powders, confetti and stringers.
Discussions, power point presentations by all, and technical talks will encourage and enable students to expand their ideas once outside the classroom. Students are requested to bring along their own hand-tools if possible, note-pad and pen, a camera and a piece of work which best illustrates their style.
The participants on this course will need to have a level of experience which will allow them to get the most out of the course. If you feel comfortable cutting and handling glass and want to use this class to expand your knowledge, please apply.
I look forward to working with you. Karl Harron Glassmaker.
TOPICS:
-Health &Safety
-Mould Curing and Preparation
-Compatibility/Viscosity
-Flow control/design techniques
-Heat-work/manipulation.
-Cold-working demonstration
-Surface finishes/sand-carving/lathe-work
-Professional/artistic development
-Studio husbandry and maintenance.
About Karl
www.theglasstudioireland.com
Ulster Artist and master craftsman Karl Harron, born in Belfast 1953 is a respected and successful glass artist now based in N. Ireland. With an emphasis on design-led, innovative work, his distinctive style is characterised by the subtle tones and complex mark making created by exploiting a third element within the body of his pieces, created at the interface between reactive glasses. His aesthetic vision demonstrates a profound appreciation of processes and critical enquiry.
Harron has facilitated international master classes in the UK, Ireland, USA, Norway, Switzerland, Denmark, Singapore and Australia.
His work is held in private and public collections throughout the world including the Down County Museum N.Ireland; Taidemuseo Museum of Art Finland; National Museum of Decorative Arts Permanent Collection Ireland; Ulster Museum UK; Bullseye Glass Co. USA; Dan Klein & Alan J. Poole at National Museum of Scotland UK; North Lands Creative Glass UK and Broadfield House Glass Museum UK.
‘Flameworking’ with Ian Pearson
4th-6th April & 10th – 12th October 2017
2017 sees the return of our very popular Flameworking Skills Class with local artist, Ian Pearson.
This course is aimed at those who wish to experience and learn some basic elements of working glass in an open flame, (Lampworking/Flameworking). It will appeal to the beginner as much as those with previous experience. The material used will be borosilicate glass and be mostly clear tubing and rod of various sizes. Objectives will be set at the start of each day with the final day seeing a cumulative result involving teamwork recognising the individual’s progress. An outline of the course is stated below.
Day One:
Sealing tubing to form spherical ends and blowing perfectly shaped spheres on one tube at end; blowing spheres/bulbs in the middle of a length of tube; bending small diameter tubing to a set pattern and angle; producing U-bends to specified dimensions. Various techniques for safely cutting glass tubing will be taught. The correct use of tools such as carbon paddles, tweezers with safety equipment will be completed. The student will complete an item of glassware using techniques learnt to a specified drawing.
Day Two:
Joining two tubes of equal diameter together to form one straight tube with minimal imperfections, joining two tubes of uneven diameter together to form one straight tube with minimal imperfections; joining a side arm of a diameter smaller than the main tube; joining a side arm of a diameter larger than the main tube. The student will combine techniques learnt the previous day to that of day 2 to create a more complicated piece of work.
Day Three:
Joining small and large diameter glass rod to glass tubing both straight and at specified angles; sealing small items of glass inside a larger glass tube by means of an internal seal; construct a piece of glass ware within tolerances to a specified
drawing. Layering techniques of glass rod onto tubing to alter shape of original tube will be taught along with blowing shapes that are non-spherical e.g. square. The student will create an original piece of glassware that will compliment a team effort sculpture and contribute towards its construction.
About Ian
Ian Pearson has been practicing lampworking since 1961, and is an acknowledged master of the craft. For many years a scientific glass blower creating highly complex laboratory equipment; Ian now uses his blend of ancient craft and modern technology to make art objects and gifts at his studio Glass Creations in Thurso.
Lavers of Landscape, with Heather Gillespie
Dates to be confirmed
In partnership with the Timespan Museum and Arts Centre, Helmsdale, North Lands Creative Glass will be running a ‘w_i_l_d_ _e_n_g_r_a_v_i_n_g_’ _course in 2017.
During 2017, Timespan will be working with the theme ‘D_e_e_p_ _T_i_m_e_’. As part of this they will be investigating layers in the landscape that imply a time that is removed from our common perception. With particular emphasis on the layers of turf found in the flow country there is also a proposed excavation in the strath that would expose the soil strata to and what the people from prehistoric time have left us with.
Taking this project as a stimulus Layers of Landscape will look from the micro to the macro of the landscape.
From the minutia found within the layers of peat to the recording of the topography of the area. Glass will be worked with diamond and copper wheel, stippled, cut and abraded. Using clear, coloured, flashed and cameo plates printing from the engraving will also form part of the class
About Heather
The course will be led by the Heather Gillespie, a copper wheel engraver based in Cumbria, Heather was one of the four original participants of the Forest of Glass residency based on the North Coast of Scotland and since that time has continued to push the boundaries of “wild engraving”, continually taking the discipline out of the studio and into the landscape looking for a more visceral and immediate response to engraving the natural world.
More information:
NORTH LANDS CREATIVE GLASS
Quatre Bras, Lybster
Caithness, KW3 6BN, Scotland
+44 (0)1593-721229
info@northlandsglass.com
http://www.northlandsglass.com
