cinders bio graphy

 

Brought up in Dar-es-salam, Tanzania, East Africa. Educated in Dublin Ireland to 3rd level

During my early childhood my family travelled extensively. This has instilled in me an interest in visiting different countries - for both cultural and personal reasons.

After leaving college I apprenticed myself to Barry Cullen's Hot Glass Workshop in London. Upon closure of this workshop I moved to Langham Glass in Norfolk, UK.In 1991 I attended Orrefors Glaskolan, in Sweden which has a well deserved reputation amongst the glass community. I received individual instruction in mould blowing, using solid colours, and various other techniques. It was an intense learning curve and was of great value to me in years to come.

Upon leaving Orrefors I was offered a job working for Baltic Sea Glass, where I stayed for 2 1/2 years. Assisting in studio production. In 1994 I went to Oakland, California to attend the Glass Art Society of Americas Annual Glass Conference. On my return I spend a month in Seattle networking with the glass community and witnessing a progressive art glass scene. Following this I was offered a position as an artist in residence at the Swedish Centre foundation, Hokkaido, Japan.The Japanese environment inspired me to develop and create my ideas. En route back to Europe I spent 8 months in western Australia, exploring the landscape and visiting glass studios. In May 1995 I returned to work for Baltic Sea Glass. Then I was offered work at Bulow Glass, in Svaneke. I assisted in the running of their new studio in Rønne for its first year. Returning to Dublin to attend a 'start your own business' course, run by the Craft Council of Ireland in conjunction with Dublin City Enterprise Board. When the course ended we organised a group exhibition at Wood Quay's Civic Office foyer called Gallery Group 1.

After the exhibition ended I went to work at Velumsund Glashutte, outside Stockholm, making my own work twice a week and making the company's production in lieu of studio time. Then in January I returned to take up a teaching post at Bornholm's Hojskole. There were 18 students who specialised in glass, both hot and warm (kiln formed). In 2000 I worked for Inferno Glass in Snogebaek.

I returned to Dublin and worked in a restaurant at the Chester Beatty Library, while I researched suitable premises in which to set up my own glass studio. In 2003 I hired the Hojskoles Hot Glass facility simultaneously becoming involved with 6 other artists who started a co-operative business in Snogeak where our work was exhibited and sold. We rented a service station shop and decided to call ourselves 'gearskift' (gearshift).

 In 2003 I went back to Western Australia to have an exhibition at Kidogo Arthouse gallery together with a Swedish colleague. The exhibition was called 'connecting elements'. I attended the biannual AusGlass Conference which took place at the new maritime museum in Fremantle.

In August 2003 I returned to Baltic Sea Glass. I then rented their studio.

 I have been exhibiting my glass at various shows around the country since my return to Ireland last February. Then in November, myself and four others founded Moone Man Design Christmas Craft shop at Crooktown. In January 2005 I was one of four exhibitors at Showcase on the Kildare County Enterprise Board stand in Dublin. I am also a member of the Ballitore Development Committee who are planning to renovate the Tannery in Ballitore as artist workshops and a retail outlet for high-end arts and crafts. It is anticipated that by the summer 2005 the project will begin to take shape.

cinders cv