IAN BAMFORTH’S PROFILE
BACKGROUND
Ian was born in Kingston Upon Hull in 1955. He has worked in a variety of jobs here and abroad. After enrolling on a “Hot Glass” evening class Ian moved to Brierley Hill in 2001 to study at the International Glass Centre. He has been based in the Midlands since and has exhibited widely in Great Britain and abroad.
Ian specialises in producing hand blown glass pieces. Utilising both form and colour married with traditional techniques to explore transparency, translucence, reflection and refraction.
Ian’s influences range from nature and the oceans flora and fauna to the cosmos. The latter being the influence for his most recent ‘ORBIT’ series.
Experience in Glass
Assisting many Glass Artists (some listed below) including building equipment and studio set up.
- Gill Mannings Cox
- Anthony Wassell
- Hellen Millard
- Yestyn (Bill) Davis and his team at Blowzone
- Stewart Fletcher and his team at Topglass
- Tim Waldergrave (Waldergrave and Sweet)
- Walter Pinches and team at Royal Brierley Crystal. Led by Carl Nordbruch and Cris Jones, (Synergy Project for The International Festival Of Glass August 2004)
Education, Qualifications & Training
August 2004: Electric Furnace building masterclass. Led by Richard Golding of Ocra Glass (During The International Festival of Glass August 2004)
2003-2004: International Glass Centre, Brierley Hill, West Midlands. ‘Advanced Diploma in Glass Design’
2001-2003: International Glass Centre, Brierley Hill, West Midlands. ‘OCNWM Glass Techniques and Technology’
2000-2001: Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, High Wycombe, Bucks. ‘Part-time evening course in Hot Glass’
Awards
November 2004: Hot Glass Studio Scholarship’ The Red House Glass Cone
June 2003 The Frederick Stuart Memorial Fund ‘Best Blown Piece of Glass’
November 2001: ‘Doris Cooper Award’
Exhibitions
November 2005: ‘Make Me Smile’ The Craft Centre and Design Gallery, Leeds
September 2005: ‘Love Glass’ Red House Glass Cone, Wordsley, Stourbridge
July 2004: ‘New Designers’ Islington, London
June 2004: ‘First Gather’ Himley Hall, Dudley
July 2003: ‘New Designers’ Islington, London
June 2003: ‘First and Second Gather’ Himley Hall, Dudley
July 2002: ‘New Designers’ Islington, London
June 2002: ‘First and Second Gather’ Himley Hall, Dudley
May 2002: ‘Brit Handmade’ New Dehli, India
June 2001: ‘Class Glass Class’ Buckinghamshire College
Ian also exhibits at various Glass Collectors Fairs throughout the year.