Scottish Glass Society Is going Iconic At Trades Space, Glasgow | Artmag

The Scottish Glass Society’s (SGS) annual exhibition, featuring the work of 23 artist members and 47 works, is currently showing at the Trades House of Glasgow, in Glasgow’s Merchant City. 

This year’s theme, ‘National Icons’, has been inspired by the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023 and each glass artist has brought their unique interpretation to the theme. Many different art glass techniques are to be found in the pieces displayed and there is both technical excellence and great artistic accomplishment in what each artist has created. The presentation of the show is immaculate too, the volunteer team of SGS members who carried it out is to be congratulated. 

Comprehensive details of all the works in the show can be viewed online on the SGS website, however viewing in person is definitely recommended. As has been observed by a number of the artists, it is often difficult to convey the qualities of glass in a photograph and the pieces are best seen in person. There are descriptions of the technical processes of each piece, but there seems to me to be a significant level of indefinable magic involved too!

Most of the pieces are for sale – there are pieces to purchase from below £100, many in the £100 to £500 range, and some above £1,000. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite piece in the show, which may prove difficult to narrow down, but here are just a few of the pieces to be enjoyed –

The Jeely Piece Song by Claire Fairley, in painted and leaded glass – the jeely piece (fused using bullseye glass) is very realistic indeed!

Banana Boots by Tim Kirman is an opaque glass, sandblasted and leaded panel celebrating Billy Connolly’s banana boots – truly iconic!

The Bee And The Golden Weave by Steven Graham is a plated glass panel with acid etching, painting and silver stain, gold and silver leaf. A highly realistic rendering of a bee and a beautiful surrounding painted ‘woven’ design, with the artist’s stated influence of Pre-Raphaelite and Art Nouveau periods clear to see.

Ian Pearson’s training as a scientific glassblower is evident in the precision of Circle of Life, Nessie Style where nine lamp-work ‘Nessies’ grow like exotic flowers from a transparent base.

Thistles glow in jewel-like colours in Oh Flower of Scotland by Leona Stewart, a wall-mounted light box made using the ‘Tiffany Style’ technique of copper foil and a leaded glass panel. 

Scots Pine – pine trees and crows by Stephanie Whateley is a delicately rendered painted leaded sculpture – Stephanie also has two wonderful larger-scale pieces in the show.

Christina Yip’s Mould Juice is a trio of bowls made from fused and kiln-formed glass with silver inclusions – the colour and pattern of the variegated halos in these pieces are inspired by Sir Alexander Fleming and his discovery of penicillin.

In Apotropaic Images for Contemporary Life by Michael Bullen, kiln-cast and engraved opaque glass fixed into reclaimed timber frames gives an almost stone-like appearance to these eight expressive faces.

Despite many ongoing challenges for glass artists, this is once again an inspirational show. There are works by very experienced and accomplished artists, and work by some relatively new to the medium – it’s particularly interesting to see that cross-section of makers all creating such beautiful and appealing work, and inspiring a sense of wonder in just what is possible to realise in glass. 

Admission to the show is free, and on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September the Trades House is participating in Glasgow’s Doors Open Day, which will allow visitors to also see the Grand Hall of the Robert Adam-designed building – no advance booking needed.

With thanks to Gordon Reid for this review.