N. IRELAND
1. Stuart Cairns, Silversmith
2. Katherine Rush, Painter
3. Peter Neill, Photographer
4. Derek Wilson, Ceramicist
Catherine Keenan, Glass Artist catherinekeenanglass.com What do you like best about working with glass? The natural properties of the material; it’s potential to transit light, the optical effects made possible, and it’s purity of colour. I like the physical, technical and almost magical aspects of working in molten glass. What inspires your work? My starting point is an observation of nature or my environment. I am very much drawn to pattern, and how this works with colour and light. I strive to create abstracted and simple pieces that are visually removed from the original source of inspiration. Processes of colour application in glassblowing also inspire me. Using 3 words, describe your designs? Bold, simple, colourful. Do you have a favourite piece? I think my ‘Eye Candy’ range is the most complete/resolved of all my work. They are technically difficult to make and laborious to finish and yet their simple and bold presence belies this. Are there any creative people you admire? Glass wise, I admire Ned Cantrell and Karen Nyholm, who run a studio in Denmark and who I had a short spell working for. Also my boyfriend potter Adam Frew and my good friend textile designer/maker Nicola Farrell who has a great eye for design and a very Scandinavian bent.