Amanda J Simmons

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About Amanda J Simmons

Personal Statement

I make kiln formed and cameo engraved glass vessels from my studio in Corsock. I'm fascinated by the structures I can create using gravity whilst the glass heats in the kiln, the vessels becoming more complex as I experiment with the slumping method using custom hand-built suspension moulds. I've worked with glass for the past 10 years, studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Glass & Architecture at Central St Martin's School of Art & Design in London (graduating with Distinction), before re-locating to Dumfries & Galloway in 2005.

The work I make incorporates many processes, including mould making, kiln firing, coldworking (working with diamond tools to shape and smooth) sandblasting and mark making the glass with diamond point engraving and a diamond wheel lathe. My aim is to create very light weight, elusive work that has intense colour and pattern which reacts to the light it is placed in.

I use themes such as love, intricacy of human relationships, universal scale and the local bird life in my work, but also draw on my previous training in Biomedical Sciences, looking at toxic botanics and the therapeutic drugs they produce.

The recent work I have made comes from an intense time of research on residency at North Lands Creative Glass in Lybster (with Steve Klein and Richard Parrish, sponsored by Bullseye Glass).

Year Established: 2000