We are delighted to present The Fabulous Beasts Club – our first solo exhibition from glass artist Nancy Sutcliffe. Nancy’s individual and contemporary approach to glass has established her as one of the most exciting glass artists working in the UK.

“I became a glass engraver after a career as a scientific and medical illustrator. I find I have come full circle, and my subject matter today is informed by that training in precision and attention to naturalistic detail. I use a hand held drill in much the same way as I used to use a pencil, though now using diamonds and stones I am able to carve deeply into the crystal bringing the illusion of 3D. The addition of gilding has become characteristic of my current work. The Fabulous Beasts Club is a body of work which draws together several of my obsessions. Inspired by the minute detail of the natural world, but not necessarily found in nature, these creatures are gilded with precious metal leaf in rich patterns inspired by my time living in the middle east.”

Nancy Sutcliffe

Born: 1957

Place of Birth: Brighouse, West Yorkshire

Nancy Sutcliffe is a graduate of North Staffordshire Polytechnic, Stoke-on-Trent, where she graduated in Design in 1979 and displayed an exceptional talent for drawing. Working as a medical and technical illustrator after graduating, and later as a freelance illustrator, it wasn’t until 1994 that she began working with glass – initially as a glass painter. In 2004 she attended a short engraving course at West Dean College taught by Tracey Sheppard, which in turn led Nancy to specialise in glass engraving. Engraving, gilding and painting are the key elements in her artistic practice, and she uses these techniques in various combinations to produce her work. Nancy works from her studio in Herefordshire. Nancy exhibits internationally and has been a selected finalist in significant exhibitions such as the International Glass Prize Exhibition at Toyama Glass Museum, Japan 2018 and the Coburg Glaspreis exhibition, Germany 2014 and 2022. She has been included in five of the British Glass Biennale exhibitions, most recently in 2022. In 2018 Nancy was named Wimbledon Championship Artist alongside glassblower Katie Huskie, and the collaboration produced 2 large sculptures for the main staircase in the clubhouse.

“I became a glass engraver after a career as a scientific and medical illustrator. I find I have come full circle, and my subject matter today is informed by that training in precision and attention to naturalistic detail. I use a hand held drill in much the same way as I used to use a pencil, though now using diamonds and stones I am able to carve deeply into the crystal bringing the illusion of 3D. The addition of gilding has become a characteristic of my current work – precious metal leaf in rich patterns inspired by my time living in the middle east.”

Private Collections include:
Broadfield House Glass Museum, Stourbridge, UK; Glasmuseum Frauenau, Germany

The Fabulous Beasts Club

Nancy Sutcliffe

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