Althea Braithwaite and Helen Curtis are two glass artists who are exhibiting in our Summer Exhibition here at i2Art Gallery.
ALTHEA BRAITHWAITE:
Althea Braithwaite – Blue Line
Althea Braithwaite is a glass artist and children’s book writer who started the publishing company Dinosaur publications.
Having sold Dinosaur Publications to Harper Collins in 1984 and writing for other publishers, Althea found time to travel. Together with husband Edward she spent two-and-a-half years in Europe in the 90’s, and in 2000 spent 10 months travelling round Australia.
Althea Braithwaite – Confetti
In the autumn of 2003 Althea acquired a kiln and started another venture, working with glass, fusing and slumping it to make dishes, as well as making fused glass windows on commission. It has quickly become an obsession.
Althea Braithwaite – Desert Sand
“For the last few years I’ve immersed myself in the joy, delight and creative potential of the wonderful medium of glass. I use fusing techniques to manipulate shadows and reflections and to exploit the amazing palette of colours that glass offers. I’m always experimenting with new ideas and I love commissions, they stretch my skills and imagination. I have been commissioned to make windows, internal and external door panels, wall lights and tiles for bathrooms and kitchens.”
HELEN CURTIS
Helen Curtis – Deep Water
Helen Curtis lives near Buntingford, with her husband and two children. She has a scientific rather than an artistic background. After graduating with a BSc Hons in Chemistry from St. Andrews University, she worked as an analytical chemist for over 20 years.
Helen Curtis – Rockpool
Helen’s interest in glass began about 5 years ago, after buying a plate from an artist who ran courses in fusing glass. After that she was hooked. She moved on to study at the University of Hertfordshire and has been experimenting with fusing and slumping glass ever since. However, approaching the subject as a scientist can have its drawbacks. In her formal training as a chemist she strove for consistency and reproducibility, but has learnt that this can also lead to frustration, as many of the changes which occur during fusing are unpredictable, so the whole process is a kind of alchemy. This is also is what makes it so exciting!
Helen Curtis – Firelight
In her work Helen uses inclusions such as metal leaf, metal foils and wire, along with metal oxides, powdered coloured glass and enamels. She is particularly fascinated by how light and reflection can change the colours in her work.
