How would you explain your business in 300 words or less?
I am a glass artist; and geologist, based near London. Growing up in North Wales, at the foothills of Snowdonia, overlooking the Menai Straits, it was easy to fall in love with geology.
From there I went on to study geology at The University of Edinburgh in Scotland where I
became fascinated by glass.
Taking my first course in Glass at Edinburgh Stained Glass House, then following the well-
trodden path of working with stained glass, fused glass, lampworking and casting. Studying for a Masters in Glass, I began working on my current body of work Recycling Narratives, Whispering Sweet Nothings.
Returning as Artist in Residence, the focus of my research is on materiality. Constantly pushing the boundaries of glass. My work sits at the intersection between art and science. Capturing the nostalgic imagery of childhood, exposing hidden narratives, through cast sculptural glass stands at the core of my work.
Passionate about sustainability and recycling, using predominantly recycled glass and
found objects, Sweet Nothings are a series of cast glass figures whispering Sweet Nothings
to one another. Inviting the viewer to question what are they whispering and why?
I won first prize in the Glass Art Society Exhibition Trace: An Exploration of Sustainable
Glass Art 2023, having been shortlisted in 2022. Highly Commended in The International Glass Prize 2022 and 2021. My work has been collected and widely exhibited internationally including COLLECT, Gallery Ten, Habatat Detroit Fine Art, Habatat Galleries Florida, Habatat Galleries North Carolina, Kyoto Japan, London Glassblowing, Northlands Creative, Rhodes University, SOFA Chicago, The Alexandria Museum of Art, The Chesterfield Gallery, The Coburg Prize for Contemporary Glass, The Imagine Museum, The National Liberty Museum, The Pyramid Gallery, The Royal Scottish Academy, The Wadsworth Athenium Museum of Art and Venice.
Hannah Gibson BSc Geology, MA Glass, MSDC
How is sustainability incorporated into your process?
I strive to make my practice as sustainable as possible. That might be using rainwater, solar power. The glass that I use from mobile phone screens to medical vials, television screens, car windshields, bottles and jars. Printing business cards on recycled cotton. Essentially trying to make aspect of my practice as sustainable as possible.
What was the reason you decided to pursue sustainable practices?
I am desperately passionate about preserving the planet for future generations.
What would you like to see in the future for sustainability in art?
Greater collaboration between Artists. Sharing of knowledge…we’re all in the same sea but a different boat.
What impact are you seeing & how do you measure success?
Success to me means joy. A joy in making and sharing what we do.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your studio or organization?
It made me pivot and evolve.