contemporary techniques in architectural glass - International ...

International
Context
25
3.4 London
Studio Tour Goddard and Gibbs
A studio tour and interview with head artist Harry Cardross still went ahead although the business
had gone into liquidation the day before, the reason being unclear. There appeared to be plenty of
ongoing work including commissions for the middle east.
Goddard and Gibbs was established in 1868 and was the largest stained glass studio in
the UK, with up to 40 employees. The studio facilities were large and catered for all aspects
of architectural glass from traditional through to contemporary. There was an emphasis on
screen printing and kiln work. They were well equipped with large mechanical screens and
stencil making facilities including vacuum presses. The kilns could accommodate large
pieces of structural glass.
One of their specialty techniques involved double glazed units. They would kiln-form (slump)
a design onto one piece of clear structural glass and then match the pattern with fired
paints onto the other. The gap between the two pieces of glass meant that the image would
misalign when viewed from different angles creating a sense of movement.
It is possible that as the business had evolved over so many years it was too reliant on
manpower. There was little evidence of labour saving technology which could have made
them more competitive.
There may also have been a conflict of interest as the studio employed its own in house
designer as well as fabricating work for outside designers. The successful German studios only
fabricate and interpret designs provided by outside artists and are therefore not in competition
with them. Or perhaps there isn’t enough work to support all of the large studios. Another UK
based company Proto Studios which specializes in similar techniques seems to remain viable
and is used by local designers including Amber Hiscott, David Pearl and Catrin Jones.
George Papadopoulos
Large kiln with roll away top for firing
and slumping architectural glass
George is a young, flamboyant and innovative designer who has a fresh approach to glass
techniques. He says he knows little about architectural glass which seems to work to his
advantage.
He completed an MA course in ceramics and glass at the Royal College of Arts, London.
He claims to have been an impatient student with many resultant breakages which is how
he discovered the beauty of cracked glass. He has developed his own unique techniques