My aim in taking part in the AA2A programme at the University of Sunderland is to develop a new body of work that will show a considered and skilful progression in my practise. I will arrange to exhibit this work at the end of my access period in Ireland and the UK.  

I currently hire glass blowing studios, such as the National Glass Centre, to make new work for exhibitions.  Therefore I can only make pieces that I know will be relatively quick and easy to produce and I currently have very little opportunity to experiment.  In contrast working at the University, without these financial constrictions, and in the environment of a leading glass department, is an exciting prospect that will allow me the much needed freedom to develop m work. 

I want to develop my colour overlay sculptures, ‘Eye Candy’, which are a purely aesthetic exploration of form, colour, pattern and optical depth in blown glass.  The starting point of this work was a drawing I did of cut and polished agate at the National Museum, Prague in 2005.  The pattern, much to my surprise, re-emerged in my work when I was studying at the International Glass Centre in 2008 and I created the ‘Eye Candy’ pieces.  I feel I still have much to explore with this work.

Through experimentation of hot glass colour application  in the various layers of the sculptures I hope to gain a fresh understanding of the  forms and pattern that will bring me in a new direction, but always being mindful of what was attractive in the original work.

Also, by being focused on this work alone will allow me to greatly improve in the blowing process.  Given a regular, consistent period of work I believe I will become more efficient allowing me new possibilities in technique.