iris houghton

personal statement

Iris Houghton - A Journey from Fine Art to Glass

I would describe myself as a glass artist creating pieces with a fine art influence.

For several years I have produced colourful abstract paintings which have been shown in galleries and exhibitions both locally and nationally.

I have always had an interest in glass and it was whilst completing my MA in fine art that this interest developed further, resulting in my completing a second MA, this time in Glass.

During the glass MA I developed a way of marrying together the disciplines of fine art and glass to create unique, vibrant, fused and slumped vessels which reflect my passion for colour.

This method of working enables me to create painterly compositions within the glass but without the use of paint: the pieces are made with glass alone and are often re-worked and re-fired to create a depth within the glass and a physicality on the surface.

I have found a dimension within the glass that cannot be achieved with paint on canvas - the ability for the light to pass through it resulting in a rainbow of coloured shadows which often change depending on the light source.