Published on 12 June 2017
Young artist Anne Selway is transferring her love for her adopted city into glass in a new exhibition now open on the banks of the Wear.
Anna’s work is part of the University of Sunderland’s 2017 degree show, this year renamed the Creative City Degree Show in recognition of Sunderland’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021. The series of exhibitions, showcasing the work of Sunderland creative students, launches with the work of final year Glass and Ceramics students, at National Glass Centre from now until 18 June.
As well as the culmination of three years’ hard work focussing on the diverse creative mediums of glass and ceramics, the showcase also highlights the practical skills that students such as Anna, originally from Cardiff, have learnt during their time at Sunderland.
Anna, 26, started making glass jewellery with her mum as a hobby, but after a while began to realise the limitations of what she could do, and she applied to the world-renowned Glass and Ceramics degree at the University of Sunderland.
“I’ve always been very interested in architecture, and I wanted to discover how to make glass works that could fit into real-life spaces.”
During her studies, Anna was chosen to intern for architectural glass artist Rachel Welford, helping to make windows for Bede’s Bakehouse within St Peter’s Church in Sunderland.
“It was a really good opportunity for me, though it was a massive learning curve. I learnt a lot about working on briefs and commissions, which meant a lot for my development as a working artist.”
Anna has made the most of opportunities to develop real-world skills alongside her studies. In her first year she was commissioned by Durham Distillery to create the perfect gin and tonic glass. She made that success a double after winning joint first prize in an international architectural glass competition.
The Brian Thomas Memorial Prize at the Stevens Glass Artist of the Year Awards was awarded to Anna for her design for an archway in the School of Glass at the University of Wales Trinity St David, Swansea. Anna’s design was inspired by traditional Welsh tapestry patterns and is a celebration of craftsmanship, skills, and heritage.
“I also took part in Enchanted Parks for Saltwell Park last winter,” says Anna. “My work was glass love hearts suspended in the trees. I was really proud to be a part of that, I love the whole idea of art telling a story, and that’s definitely an avenue I’d like to pursue with my work in the future.”
Anna’s latest work, Synergy, in now on show as part of the Creative City Degree Show at National Glass Centre, and is inspired by Anna watching the river Wear from her student flat.
“The theme of my work is colour, line and light, looking at reflected light from the river Wear and capturing that in glass. It’s not just about natural light, but light from lampposts, ships, the light from the docks. I wanted to try to capture the subtle sense of movement you get from a river, that calming, continuous sense of life and movement.”
Anna has enjoyed her experience so much that she intends to return to the University after the summer to study for a Master degree in glass.
“Sunderland has some world-class equipment, such as the glass waterjet cutter, which really increases the scope for what I can do as an artist. I want to push my work and develop it as far as I can.”
The Creative City Degree Show is at National Glass Centre until 18 June. The show then moves to the University’s CitySpace building on Chester Road from 17 to 22 June, showcasing the work of final year Art and Design students.