Sarah Broadhead Riall

 

Sarah Broadhead Riall has been designing and making kiln-formed glass in Hampshire since 1986.  Her work has been exhibited in galleries both nationally and internationally and has been featured in many magazines.  She is a member of The Contemporary Glass Art Society, the Surrey Guild of Craftsmen and the Hampshire Artists Co-operative.

Sarah creates pieces of glass, which reflect her interest in colour, pattern, the elements of water and sunlight and the optical effects resulting from their interaction.  Often pockets of air are introduced which adds to the three-dimensional effect and gives a feeling of light.  By using enamels to colour the glass Sarah can mix and blend them to create the texture, pattern and feeling needed for a piece.  It is a fascinating process, which continues to engage her passion and enthusiasm.

Sarah's jewellery, which comprises pieces of enamelled glass encircled or woven with Sterling Silver wire, brings together her knowledge of both textiles and glass.  The glass has been painted or sprinkled with glass enamel before being fired in the kiln.  Some of the pieces are of two layers.  In her most recent work Sarah is using the reflections of the coloured glass when placed on the surface of silver to magnify and heighten the impact of the colours. She is hoping in 2008 to extend these pieces further, making neckpieces, bracelets and jewellery as part of a 3D work.

Sarah was born in Dublin. She trained at W.S.C.A.D. in Farnham (now University College for the Creative Arts), where she gained a BA in Textiles followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Glass.