Hand Blown Contemporary Glass by Ian Bamforth

Ian's fascination for Hand Blown Glass started in 2000 when he enrolled on a "Hot Glass" evening class at Buckinghamshire College. It was 'love at first blow' and he was smitten. His enthusiasm and passion for Hot Glass soon prompted a career change, which resulted in him attending the world renowned "International Glass Centre", Brierley Hill, where he gained an “OCNWM in Glass Techniques and Technology” and an "Advanced Diploma in Glass Design".

The design and technical skills used on his "Pirouette" range won him the "Best Blown Piece of Glass" award, and after leaving the IGC he was awarded a scholarship in the historic Red House Glass Cone, which has given him the opportunity to develop his skills, in particular the specialist Incalmo technique.

Ian produces hand blown contemporary glass pieces, drawing upon nature and the oceans flora and fauna for inspiration. He uses form and colour married with traditional techniques to indicate the purity and honesty of glass by exploring transparency, reflection and refraction.

He has been based in the West Midlands since 2001. As well as exhibiting widely in Britain, Ian has worked with many glass artists gaining experience in producing individual pieces of 'artistic' glass. To view some of Ian's recent work, please visit his glass gallery.