Redpath Glass
The Stourbridge Glassmakers The Ruskin Glass Centre
The Stourbridge Glassmakers The Ruskin Glass Centre Redpath Glass
All photographs and interviews by Sarah McDowall
Georgia Redpath
Kiln-formed glassmaker
“I’m Georgia Redpath and I’ve been at the Ruskin centre since 2007.” “I create kiln glass, everything I do goes into a kiln and predominately I am caster so that means I make moulds from original models that are normally in my case paper or cardboard.” “I will then make a rubber mould and then maybe a wax version and then an investment mould, which is like plaster but it’s a bit stronger so it survives the temperature of the Kiln.”
“There are other casters in the area but everyone is entirely different because of the way people choose to use glass and what they choose to model with. There are so many stages in casting that it is hard for two casters to come up with the same thing.�
“I’m working on some geometric panels where I can test colour I’ve done some small panels where I have started using sheet glass and they have produced some really interesting effects. The two I am most pleased with sold very quickly so I need the reference again and I want to do it on a bigger scale and I’m start seeing how the colour works after I’ve actually cast it.”
“It’s the way glass works with light with me, the colour and the way it bounces light around and the optical effects you get from it.” “You do get people coming in asking me to make specific pieces and that can be great because it takes you in a slightly different direction but it can also be frustrating because you are focused on one style and they are wanting to take you in a slightly different direction.”
“It’s nice to be in the Ruskin centre because glass is treated so differently by every person that works here.”
Stourbridge is a town, located in the West Midlands and is known to be the glass quarter of England. Glassmaking in Stourbridge can be dated as far back as 1612, the glass is still classed as some of the world’s finest and has been used many times as gifts for royalty. The Ruskin Glass Centre is a distinct space that encompasses an array of glassmakers who are all very successful. They all have their own techniques and although it might not look like the materials they use are glass, they all have one thing in common they all are glassmakers The Stourbridge Glassmakers. Thank you to Georgia Redpath for her time and patience. www.ruskinglasscentre.co.uk
www.sarahmcdowall.com