Karl Harron

Karl Harron, born in Belfast 1953 is a respected and successful Glass Artist now based in Northern 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 Masterclasses, established professional Glass Studios, authored Accredited glass courses and his work is held in Private and Public Collections throughout the world.

Technique:  
The two glasses I use are Tested Compatible from Bullseye Glass Company  Portland Oregon. They are Dense White 0313 which is lead-based and  French Vanilla 0137 which is sulphur based. The two sides of each piece are laid up and kiln-formed seperately e.g. fully fused in a kiln @ 810 deg.Celcius. At this temperature the two glasses react to create a dynamic interaction between shared interfaces and the design is revealed through pure Alchemy. Next I will partially fuse more glass onto both surfaces to further enhance the desired design @ 720 deg.Celcius. Then I will employ a 3-stepped slump @ 680 deg.Celcius e.g. Using heat and gravity to curve the flat glass into the vessel form. The diamond engraving, using a 6" spherical-miracle radius wheel, removes the "glassy" surface down to the depth where I feel the vessel "speaks to the viewer" and of course to me. This process takes a minimum of 30 days for each piece, engaging with the material in both its fluid and solid states I endeavour to reveal cool, delicate, sophisticated designs not usually associated with Glass.