Vanessa Cutler
Swansea
Glass artist, working directly with industry to challenge the parameters of material and machines.
Links
Being inquisitive is part of the human make up and a major part of my practice. By exploring application of traditional practice and industrial process the work builds on developing an intimacy of understanding between direct “hands on” application and the indirect methodology of industrial processing. In developing an intimacy with both machine and the material the work seeks to extend the parameters of both areas and see how this method of approach can be extended to others.
Bodies of work are not only derived from the continual questioning of process and how it might be extended but from an interest in capturing the images of place from places seen, visited and lived within. Influence comes from the environment in which we place ourselves and the structures that are built up within the mind. Drawing on geometry and architecture the work builds on those structures to not only explain a sense of place but a sensitivity to how the materials and process can extend the parameters of machine, material and my own creative practice. The work investigates the solid and fragile, building structures that draw the viewer to engage and question the approach to the work.
The material: Glass has always played an important role in my work. It is a material with character, feistiness and a voice. It can scream and shout, be brash and subtle, controlled yet troublesome. However the more time you are involved with it the more seductive it becomes; as one starts to understand its parameters and properties it throws another challenge to push its limits further. Glass is part of my practice; a medium that my ideas flow into and give a glimpse of my fascination of forms from everyday events in my life, of objects, architecture seen, dreamt and read about. Images that seem to race through the mind are transposed into forms that can explain more about my character than I can explain.
The technology: Water jet is a process that I have built up an intimacy with. It has become part of my chemical makeup. Each day there is a response to be found from questions relating to the extension of creative practice. Part engineer, part artist the machine offers a new set of skills and questions how industrial technology has a role in the development of both ideas and the material. The work explores how the machine can push a perception of industrial made items and in return produce a unique handmade object.
Based in Swansea recently returning to full time making after a number of years in Higher Education. An artist, educator and consultant in waterjet for both creative and industrial sectors, she has helped numerous artists apply the technology into their work. In 2012 her book ‘New Technologies In Glass” was published by Bloomsbury. She continues to exhibit her Internationally and write about art and its interface with industrial technology. 2015 awarded a Wales International Grant to present at a technology symposium in Brooklyn, NY and spend time researching new technologies that might be applicable to extending glass practice. 2016 given a prestigious Creative Wales Awardby Arts Council Wales.
Exhibitions: International and National
2016
Selected Showcase. Craft in the Bay, Cardiff. showcase of new work developed from Creative Wales Award 2016, ACW.
Southsea Grasses: Public art installation for Albert Road Taders Association. Collaboration with Cate Watkinson Associates
2014
Harmony -Dylan Thomas International Glass Competition. Curator, catalogued (ISBN) Touring Wales and UK (Senedd, Cardiff and Ely Stained Glass Museum).
Makers Focus. Exhibition, Mission Gallery, Swansea. Wales.
Craft and Architecture. Crafts Councils UK Touring exhibition various venues UK. 2014-2017
2013
Coalesce. Exhibition London Glass Blowing Gallery, London UK.
Pairings; a conversation, exploring collaborative practice. Exhibition collaborative work with Kate Eglan. Various national venues including Contemporary Applied Arts London UK.
30 years; the art of the fellowship. Exhibition American Glass Museum Millville USA, (Only UK selected artist).
Glass weekend. Selected exhibitor – Gallery of Fine Craft Wheaton USA
2012
Made in the middle. Exhibition. Craftspace touring 6 UK Exhibition venues UK. ISBN 978-0-9565121-0-9
Collect 2012. Exhibition London UK
European Applied Arts Prize. World Crafts Council Exhibition Mons Belgium. One of 4 selected UK Makers.Exhibition and catalogue. ISBN 978-2-87536-011-3
Games Olympic Glass Exhibition Swansea, Wales. Exhibition and catalogue. ISBN 978-0-9548757-7-0
The Fire Continues. Exhibition at Fine Gallery of Craft Wheaton USA
Pairings II -Stroud International textile festival. UK. Exhibition collaborative work with Kate Eglan, Exhibition and catalogue ISBN: 978-1-905476-72-5
2011
3rd International Triennial Silicate Arts Exhibition, Kecskemet Hungary
Momentum, Crafts in the Bay. Exhibition and catalogue Cardiff, Wales. ISBN 978-0-9566868-1-7
Crossover-Exhibition, Bullseye Glass Gallery Portland, Oregon USA
Vision Exhibition, Gallery Fine Craft, Wheaton USA
Hawk Galleries Exhibiting Ohio USA. (Ongoing representation)
Liberty Museum Exhibiting, Philadelphia USA
Glass Archive Exhibition, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea Wales.
Collections
2012 Crafts Council National Collection
2011 Manchester Metropolitan University
2011 International Ceramic Studio, Kecskemet, Hungary
2008 American Glass Museum, USA
2006 Crystallex Novy Bor, Czech Republic
1999 University of Wolverhampton
1994 Swansea Institute glass archive
Works in several private collections in USA.
Books
Cutler. V. (2012) ‘New Technologies in Glass’ Bloomsbury London. ISBN 978-1-4081395-4-7
Cane. K. (2012) ‘Drawing and Making’ Bloomsbury London pp.199-201
Davies. P ed. (2007) ‘Glass North East ‘
Watkins-Baker. H (2010) ‘Kiln Formed Glass’ Crowood Press. Marlborough.
Published Papers
2016 Interpreting handwritten scrawl. Paper/presentation International waterjetting conference Seattle. USA
2014 Synthesis of water jet cutting with hot glass for making murine. Paper/presentation. International waterjetting Conference. Haarlem, Holland
2013 Interpretation of intricate drawing into actual objects. Paper/presentation. WJTA and IMCA Conference Houston, Texas USA
2010 Controlled-depth surface-abrasion for parquetry in glass. 20th International Conference on waterjetting. BHR Group, Cranfield. ISBN 978-1-85598-121-8
The relationship of combining technology and craft. Creativity and innovation Symposium University of Wolverhampton ISBN 978-0-9560204-3-7
2009 Investigation of 5 axis cutting, creative application with particular reference to glass. WJTA Houston
2006 An investigation into the creative uses of water jet and the difficulties encountered through the development of personal artwork and artworks for other artists working with glass. (19th International Conference on Water jetting. Poland. (Winner of best paper) ISBN)
On the shoulders of the engineer, Art and technology its influence and effect. Glass and conservation Portugal (Poster)
Become a member
We support our members with: insurance, networks, space, opportunities, R&D awards, profiling, advice and mentoring.
Become a member