Cate Watkinson
Glass

I have been working as a glass artist and designer since 1988. In that time, I have built up an extensive body of public art work and private commissioned pieces throughout the UK and have exhibited gallery pieces internationally.

Over the past 20 years I have successfully completed a varied range of commissioned projects from glass public seating in city centres to glass and stainless steel public art sculptures. From a stained glass window for Newcastle Cathedral to a laminated glass screen for the Arrivals Hall at Newcastle International Airport.

I trained in the skills of glass making at Sunderland Polytechnic, completing a B.A. (Hons) degree in 3D Design Glass with Ceramics 1983-86.

Over the years I have developed the skills and knowledge gained from working in the traditional methods to bring a fresh slant and new techniques and ideas to my contemporary work. Most of my time is now taken up with designing and making glass work for the public realm, designing not only the glass element of a piece but the whole structure. Currently I am designing and making a stainless steel and glass sculpture for the new Northumbria Police Area Command Headquarters in North Tyneside.

Q&A's

Describe your creative practice in 20 single words.

Glass/steel/creative/skilfull/textural/spacial/designerly/colourful/sustainable/environmentally conscience/hands on/inventive /contemporary/cutting edge/sensitive/collaborative/research based/architectural/large scale/structural

Describe your influences using 30 single words or short phrases.

Geology/geomorphology (rocks and landscape)
Mud
Bread
Lake District
The process of cooking food
History
Eating nice food
Architecture
Red wine
Church buildings
Conversation
Sacred spaces in general
Light
Lighting
Victorian glass
Stained glass
Contemporary crafts
Art Deco
New technologies
Old technologies
Plants
Water/rivers and stream
Lava