Stephen Gillies & Kate Jones

Rosedale Abbey

Glassblower

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Kate and Stephen opened their studio in 1995
They specialise in Swedish overlay technique
Their use of rare and complex techniques is renowned

Behind the name Gillies Jones are two artists: Stephen Gillies and Kate Jones, partners in art and in life. Makers of contemporary blown glass, they both master different techniques, combining skills to create masterfully crafted pieces. Gillies is in charge of glassblowing, doing so in layers and then adding colours to those layers, before passing it on to Jones who begins the engraving. By removing parts of the coloured layers, the opacity of the piece eases, making room for the secret ingredient of it all: light. Inspired by the rural landscapes of North Yorkshire, Gillies and Jones talk about light as a key ingredient for inspiration and creation, as it is the final touch to these mesmerising and delicate combinations of colour.

Interview

What is your educational background?
We both took degrees at Stourbridge College of Arts, Gillies in Glass Design and Jones in Fine Art. Stephen then spent two years as assistant to glassblowers Philip Baldwin and Monica Guggisberg in Switzerland, as well as some time with Lino Tagliapietra.
When and how did you start working?
Stephen started to blow glass in 1987, and worked in Denmark at Ebeltoft Glass Museum and other small studios in the UK and Denmark. Kate changed from painting to glass in 1991, we then opened our own workshop in 1995 and have been working ever since.
What is a memorable moment for Gillies Jones?
In 2003, we received a commission from the Victoria and Albert Museum to make a piece for their permanent collection. It is a globe shaped decorative glass sculpture with one segment cut out, in blue over red tones and sand blasted irregular lines.
How would you define well made?
With the form and the techniques that we use, each finished piece has a calm confidence that shows mastery of our skill sets. Technically we admire and enjoy Swedish glassmaking, and we are influenced by the elemental beauty of our remote rural location.

Stephen Gillies & Kate Jones are master artisans: they began their career in 1987 and they started teaching in 1995