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© Anthony Scala
© Anthony Scala
© Anthony Scala
© Anthony Scala
© Ester Segarra

Cathryn Shilling

  • Glass sculptor
  • Alperton, United Kingdom
  • Master Artisan
Cathryn Shilling Glass sculptor
© All rights reserved

Glass fabric

  • • Cathryn pushes the limits of glass
  • • Her designer background has informed the way she works in glass
  • • She is fascinated by the study of non-verbal body language

After studying graphic design at the Central School of Art & Design in London and following further trainings with glass kiln forming, glass fusing and glass blowing techniques in the USA and England, Cathryn Shilling set up her studio in 2008. Always observing the technical constraints of her material, she works with glass in an innovative way to develop a visual language that speaks through movement and colour, creating one-off sculptural pieces. Greatly inspired by kinesics, her works reflect a non-verbal narrative that evokes a stylised sense of human movement, where the apparent frailty of the glass is balanced by strong dynamic forms. The science behind her work helps her interpret, rather than reproduce her encounters within this remarkable planet.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Ester Segarra
  • © Ester Segarra
  • © Ester Segarra
  • © Ester Segarra
  • © Ester Segarra
Photo: © Ester Segarra
Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is a free-standing sculpture made from lengths of clear glass cane that are fused together then shaped in a kiln to mimic the flexibility and movement of woven cloth. The clear glass form is then coated with a fine layer of 24 carat gold.

Length 44 cm
Width 14 cm
Height 37 cm

Photo: © Ester Segarra
Nacreous

This deep and complex bowl is made from hundreds of fine stands of glass and dichroic that are fused together then draped to create the elegantly balanced final form. The surface shimmers and glistens like the clouds of ice crystals it is named after.

Height 30 cm
Diameter 40 cm

Photo: © Ester Segarra
Offering

Here a coloured glass bowl appears to float on a draped length of fabric-like woven glass. The shimmering effect of the kiln formed glass gives an illusion of movement in this sculpture where the clear glass appears to offer up the coloured bowl to the viewer.

Length 50 cm
Width 50 cm
Height 23 cm

Photo: © Ester Segarra
Diorama - The Sunset After the Fire

This sculpture was created by bringing over a thousand strands of fine glass of many colours together before fusing, then refiring and shaping them in a kiln. The opulent bowl is edged with gold like a glorious sunset reflected on the stone below.

Height 25 cm
Diameter 42 cm

Photo: © Ester Segarra
Washed Up

This piece of woven glass cloth has been created from clear glass rods using heat and gravity in a kiln so that it is ripped and folded. Laid on a bed of pebbles the sculpture relates to abandoned possessions left behind and washed up on distant shores.

Length 94 cm
Width 60 cm
Height 23 cm

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