National Glass Centre

Zoe Garner

After receiving a degree in glass design at Staffordshire University, Zoe went on to gain more experience in her field working at LA Studios and Danny Lane Studios in London. Travelling around the world became her next priority visiting Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. While living in Australia she worked for the hugely successful and renowned Cydonia Glass Studio in Sydney, creating large-scale glass interior installations.

After returning from travelling and working for other successful glass designers, she was inspired and driven to concentrate on her own designs. She began studying at University of Sunderland and graduated with a Masters in Glass Design. Shortly afterwards she set up her own business "Zoë Garner Glass" specialising in jewellery, lighting and interior installations.

Inspired by nature and unusual forms and textures, her work concentrates on interior and exterior spaces within glass, the exterior representing protection to the interior forms. Experienced in many different areas of glass making, Zoe can use a diverse range of techniques to acheive a final piece, including flame working, glass blowing, kiln casting, fusing and silversmithing.

Over the last four years she has been awarded grants from the Arts Council, Cohesion Glass Network, Gateshead Council, and University of Sunderland, as well as teaching classes at the National Glass Centre.

In 2008 she won the Pearson Glass Prize for best use of 'Glass in Flame Working and Jewellery' with a large three-dimensional flame worked wall panel.

In 2011 she won the Craft & Design Select Award silver for glass.

Images:

Orb Light, (2009).
Chemical romance Wall Panel, (2009).
Twist pendant (2008).

Photos by Dave Williams