Tiger theme is roar-some fun for Thurso glass artist
Thurso glass artist Ian Pearson is ready to get his teeth into his latest project, which will see him create a glass tiger inside a glass tiger – while dressed up as a tiger!
The unusual demonstration will be part of 2022's International Year of Glass, which has been designated by the United Nations.
Some of Ian's works will be on show at a joint exhibition this autumn, taking place in Glasgow and then Inverness.
Stories – Whispers from the Past and the Present is hosted by the Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) and the Scottish Glass Society (SGS) and will see glass artists from Scotland, the UK and further afield display their wares as part of the CGS’s ongoing 25th anniversary celebrations.
The CGS is the principal supporter and promoter of artists and collectors of contemporary glass in the UK.
Also taking part in the joint exhibition are Michael Bullen, former studio manager at North Lands Creative in Lybster, and Frankie Leigh, a BA (Hons) ceramics and glass graduate from the University for the Creative Arts, Farnham, who is based at North Lands for six months.
The exhibition opens in Trades Hall in Glasgow's Merchant City and runs from September 14 to 22, coinciding with the city's Doors Open week. The exhibition then moves to the Wasps Creative Academy in Inverness, from October 4 to 29.
The theme for the exhibition is taken from Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022. This spotlights, celebrates and promotes the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland.
Stories – Whispers from the Past and the Present is intended to promote and raise awareness of the glory of contemporary glass.
The CGS and SGS say the aim of the joint exhibition is to demonstrate how "utterly glorious and amazing" contemporary glass is so that everyone can appreciate and enjoy its magical colours, textures, use of light and variety of techniques.
It is also an opportunity for the public to not only discover their own local glass artists but to encounter work from other parts of the UK. It will celebrate Scotland and the collaboration between national glass societies, and will feature as wide a range of techniques as possible.
Ian said: "Of course, the most unusual demonstration will be mine, where I will be dressed as a tiger making a glass tiger inside a glass tiger. This is due to not only is 2022 being the International Year of Glass but also the Chinese Year of the Tiger."
Susan Purser Hope, chairperson of the Contemporary Glass Society, said: “This is CGS’s second collaborative exhibition with the Scottish Glass Society. The previous show was such a success that we are excited to have this wonderful opportunity to not only exhibit at the prestigious Trades Hall in Glasgow again but to tour the show to this exciting new venue in Inverness.
"This is an opportunity for our joint membership to show a range of amazing glass work featuring vibrant colours and a range of techniques. It is also a glorious chance to raise the profile of contemporary glass with the general public whilst celebrating our intertwining history, the International Year of Glass and CGS’s 25th anniversary.”