Reflective glass sculptures
- Anthony used to be the cast and cold glass technician at the Royal College of Art
- Every single piece he makes teaches him something new
- The unknown qualities of glass truly fascinate him
Anthony Scala is a seasoned British cold glass artist and teacher, specialised in cold working, lamination and assemblage techniques. His initial training in architectural model making led him to develop a keen interest in cold working techniques in conjunction with optical glass, which allow him to create tantalising refractive sculptures. Anthony's creations appear to bend the laws of three-dimensional space. He began working in the field of Studio Art Glass in 1999 as an apprentice at London Glassblowing where he met some of the very best makers in the country. He operated his own studio from 2010 and makes signature geometrical artworks which celebrate the reflective qualities of glass as a material.
Interview
- What was the first object you made?
- The first major pieces I made back in 2000 were a set of glass Samurai swords. All the parts were traditionally made out of wood and silver, except the blades, which I individually hand ground in glass. The set of three took me 18 months to complete!
- Do you train apprentices?
- I do not train apprentices as such. However, I taught glass blowing classes at London Glassblowing for over 15 years, as well as teaching cold working in a variety of master classes throughout the UK and Europe.
- What does well made mean to you?
- My practice is rooted in precision. Not just how a piece is executed, but the reason and rationale behind its conception. A well made piece always stands out, not just because of its technical prowess, but the thought, consideration and experimentation which has gone into its making.
- Could your craft be considered in danger?
- I think all craft-based art forms can be considered ‘in danger,’ but glass especially so, particularly in the UK. Sky rocketing fuel costs, coupled with prohibitively expensive studio rental rates have made working in Studio Art Glass almost impossible in London.
Anthony Scala is a master artisan: he began his career in 1999 and he started teaching in 2001
Where
Anthony Scala
