Catriona R. MacKenzie

Glass is an extraordinary material to work with. Its special qualities make it beautiful, exciting and unique. The inspiration for my work derives from these qualities. Through the exploration of glass as a sculptural material various themes have evolved.

I would describe my style as graphic. I like to play with the glass and the layering properties it encourages. By playing with layers of colour, pattern and surface carving, I produce tactile pieces of glass. I employ hot glass techniques and cold worked decoration in order to achieve this.

I love the idea of opposites. This consists of the development of form; colour; transparency; pattern and texture. I am also interested in the concept that touch is comforting, and I tend to choose textured surfaces and vibrant colour combinations that attract the eye and lift the heart.

One of the great qualities of glass is transparency. By the juxtaposition of clear and layers of colour I am able to create 3D spaces within each form. The external carving creates a window into the inner worlds I create in each piece.

Catriona R. MacKenzie (CatMacKGlass)

Education

Northlands Creative Glass Centre, Lybster, SCOTLAND Workshop with Tobias Mohl and Janusz Pozniak, SEPT 08
The International Glass Centre, Brierley Hill, ENGLAND Professional Development Level 5, 2007 - 2008 SPECIALISING IN BLOWING AND COLD GLASS TECHNIQUES. Awarded 5 DISTINCTIONS.
The International Glass Centre, Brierley Hill, ENGLAND Professional Development Level 4, 2006 - 2007 SPECIALISING IN BLOWING AND COLD GLASS TECHNIQUES.
Northlands Creative Glass Centre, Lybster, SCOTLAND Workshop with Simon Moore, AUG 05
Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, SCOTLAND BA 2:1 (Hons) DESIGN AND APPLIED ARTS, 2001-2005 GLASS AND ARCHITECTURAL GLASS
Alfred University, NY State, USA Exchange Programme, chosen on merit, JAN 04 - MAY 04

Work experience

SHOP ASSISTANT/GLASS ADVISOR at Bristol Handmade Glass, England. JULY 2012 – SEPT 2013
Assisting James Devereux in the production of other Glass Artists work. DEC 2011
GLASSBLOWING TUTOR at Liquid Glass Centre, Trowbridge: Teaching basic glassblowing skills OCT 2011
STUDIO MANAGER at LoCo Glass Ltd., England: This role included assisting and making of various ranges, managing of studio, coldworking, ordering of materials, maintenance of machinery, charging the furnace, dealing with customers and demonstration talks AUG 08 - OCT 11
Assistant to Technician and Tutors, Stephen Foster and Jim Cartwright at The International Glass Centre, England SEPT 07 - JULY 08 - This included the production of work for other students such as overlays, Pastorelli roll-ups, cane and final pieces.

Awards

Silver Award for Glass. Awarded by Craft & Design Magazine 2013

Publications

Sept/Oct Issue of Craft&Design Magazine: Full page spread due to Silver Award. 2013
Future Publication: I shall be featured in a book by Vanessa Champion Photography. Due for release in 2014. She has blogged about our photo-shoot at: http://vanessachampion.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/through-a-photographers-eyes-part-5/