Heather Gillespie

The drama of ice and fire and the appeal of the volcanic abundance of Iceland fascinates me. My glass work is based on the natural beauty this island has to offer. I make unique objects, which need individual planning and attention to detail. This allows me to understand the material more and how to manipulate this robust material, which is sometimes considered to be fragile and untouchable. Working with glass every day is a learning experience for me, because it has so much to offer.

Glass excites me in every way; the refractive and reflective properties of glass and the limitless possibilities for the creation of optical illusion by the means of skilful cutting and the interaction of  the above properties with light, appeals to me and suits the nature of my work. Ever since I engraved my name on to a Milk glass as a young child I was amazed at what glass is capable of, this small link with engraving at an early age has influenced at a designer today, and has  allowed me to be seduced by this beautiful material.  Shape is extremely important to me as a glassmaker. Being inspired by ice and fire lends itself so easily to the heat of the glass furnace.  I enjoy the simplicity of organic shapes, and adding these qualities into a shape which has structure and balance.

Engraving is a large part of my practice, I was strive to create new patterns and shapes using my copper wheels which are used to engrave onto glass Copper wheel engraving is a satisfying and  rewarding process but there are only a handful of engravers in the U.K. who are practicing this craft, producing exquisite work. I fell in love with the art of copper wheel engraving during the year  that I spent at the Glass College in Kamenicky Senov in the Czech Republic whilst working for Peter Rath part owner of Lobmeyr in Vienna, and find the creation of a piece using this technique a very  satisfying and rewarding process.