Laura Birdsall
Statement
I make blown glass vessels with strong sculptural qualities. My inspiration is often some small detail in nature, such as a seed pod or a fish's fin. Continuing themes in my work are the relationship between the interior and exterior of a vessel and decoration that is integral to the form. Many pieces have an intensely worked exterior surface and rim. This is achieved by meticulous and time consuming cutting, by hand, using a traditional lathe. Each unique piece is then sandblasted and acid dipped to create a soft satin texture, which is beautifully tactile.
As a maker I experience the hot material as soft and luminous and I try to preserve these qualities in the finished work. By layering transparent and opaque colours, I create vibrant and translucent objects that change with natural light, through the day.
Biography
Laura is a glass artist based in beautiful North Yorkshire. She gained valuable experience in workshops around the country before completing an MA at The Royal College of Art. Graduating in 2006 she won 'Best Newcomer' in the Bombay Sapphire Prize, which toured France, Italy and New Zealand.
In 2007 Laura undertook a residency, funded by the Anglo-Swedish society at Konstfack College of Arts, Craft and Design, in Stockholm, Sweden.
Exhibitions include the British Glass Biennale '04, '06, '08 and '12, also Collect, showing with Dan Klein and Adrian Sassoon as part of '40 years of Glass Graduates From the Royal College of Art'. She has exhibited through out Europe and was selected from over 400 international applicants to exhibit at Hawk Galleries, Ohio, as part of B.I.G.G: Breakthrough Ideas in Global Glass, in 2009.
In 2014 she was selected to take part in the prestigious Coberg Glass Prize and The European Museum of Modern Glass has acquired a piece of her work for their permanent collection.
