Clare Gaylard Artisan Glass 

Lampwork Glass, Jewellery and Wearable Art, created by me: Clare Gaylard in my Suffolk studio.

'There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion' Francis Bacon

I have a BA Hons in Silversmithing & Jewellery, I'm a trained Art Teacher at secondary school level, I've been curator for an art gallery in Bangkok, Artist-in-Residence at The Glass Studio in Singapore and worked for creative/heritage NGOs while living in Africa and Asia. I have always found the time to paint, sketch and create with whatever materials or opportunities have been on hand.


I was taught flamework by Micah Lamar in 'Hoglund' glass studio, New Zealand in 2006, and it rapidly became my primary medium. From 1999 to 2009 we lived in Kenya, Thailand and Singapore, I had home studios, demonstrated, taught, and exhibited in Thailand and Singapore. Returning to the UK in 2010 I have gone on to set up a flamework studio with three torch stations in a re-purposed barn. I am a member of Suffolk Open Studios and the Suffolk Craft Society.


Working with glass is a synthesis of powerful elements, colour, light, fire and a medium that moves rapidly between liquid and solid states. It is an ancient skill that continues to inspire new forms of expression. Each element is made in the moment, it is an uniquely absorbing and immediate craft. 

FAQ

What is Flamework / Lampwork?

The glass, in the form of a rod, is melted in an intense flame and either worked freeform or wrapped around a metal rod. All is created directly in the flame.  Glass has been worked in this way across cultures and centuries. The glass I use most frequently is still made on the Venetian island of Murano. 

What does it mean to be a 'Self Representing Artist'?

I am a designer-maker, designing, creating and assembling all my flamework glass sculptures, totems and jewellery entirely myself from my own original research, paintings and sketches and have done so since my first solo exhibition of combined media in 2006. 


As an artist and maker I'm engaged in approaching the universal through the particular. I do not copy or mass produce.


The glass and the processes I use are of a quality chosen to extend the lifespan  and beauty of my work. I kiln anneal and hand clean all my glass. Annealing soaks the glass at 960 degrees then cools it gradually over ten hours, reducing the chance of stress fractures and strengthening the glass.

Where can I find your work?

I am a member of Suffolk Open Studios  and open each weekend in the month of June at my studio.


I am a member of The Suffolk Craft Society and participate in their exhibitions.


Visits to my studio can be made by appointment. I have work in progress, for sale and I work to commission. I open my studio for demonstrations to groups of up to six.


You will find  a range of my glass at Great Walsingham Gallery, where you will also find changing exhibitions of art and applied arts, bespoke framing for mirrors, paintings and prints.

 

I take part in exhibitions throughout the year, details of upcoming exhibitions can be found here.


I am a member of 

Suffolk Open Studios



I am a member of the Suffolk Craft Society

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