Adriana Brinsmead Stockham ?

My designs are based on the effects that water, whether fluvial or coastal, has on our environment; shaping and leaving its marks on our landscapes - sometimes transient, often permanent.

My work is about the contrasts between power that can be obvious and obliterating or quiet and hidden and the apparent contradiction that something liquid can change the form of something solid.

It is also about trying to capture how these landscapes formed by water affect me, and the sometimes conflicting - but always strong emotions that they provoke.

Working mainly from my own photographs and sketches, I usually first decide on an overall profile and then I work on the pattern itself and abstract it out onto paper.

I then carefully hand-carve the design into a block of refractory plaster, over which I cast the billets of glass in the kiln, having already decided upon a sympathetic colour.

After kiln casting (which takes about 5 days) and the glass is out of the kiln and de-moulded, the decision has to be made on which areas are to be mirror polished (using a variety of techniques) and which are to be left in a more natural state.

The contrast between the highly polished ‘face’ of the piece and the rougher texture of the opposite side is a deliberate aspect of the work.

Profile
Just graduated with a (first) BA (Hons) Three Dimensional Design - Glass. I will continue to build up a career as a primarily commission-based glass designer/maker, working in both the private and corporate sectors, whilst continuing my exploration of glass by completing a part-time MA.

My work focuses mainly on casting and cold-working techniques but I also enjoy working in fused and slumped glass when commissioned to do so.

The designs for my work are strongly influenced by my environment and the patterns within those environments - whether they are natural or man-made.

This affinity with my surroundings helps me develop an understanding of my clients desires for their own spaces - enabling me to comprehend, interpret and expand upon their wishes when a piece of art work has been commissioned - whatever the size of the piece or the site it is intended for.

Examples of work can be viewed on my website: www.glassrebel.com.

Exhibitions
July 2010: New Designers, Business Design Centre, London
June 2010: Graduate Show, UCA Farnham, Surrey
March 2010: Surface Pattern, Contemporary Glass Society, online exhibition
May 2009: Interaction, St Andrew’s Church, Farnham, Surrey
May 2007: Access Graduates Exhibition, UCA, Farnham, Surrey
July 2006: Kingston Contemporary Open Exhibition (Juried), Kingston, Surrey

Education
2007-2010 BA Honours Three Dimensional Design (Glass). University for the Creative Arts, Farnham. Covering glass blowing, kiln work (casting and fusing) and a variety of cold work (including: cutting, sand-blasting, polishing and engraving).

2006-2007 Access to Higher Education Diploma in Art & Design. University for the Creative Arts.

OND: Business Studies. Kingston College of Further Education, Kingston, Surrey

8 ‘O’ Levels including Maths and English. Lady Margaret’s School. London.

Employment
Prior to my current period of study I have had several jobs since leaving school.

In reverse chronological order they are:
PA to CEO, Walters Kluwer UK, Kingston. (Technical and Legal Publisher).
Self-Employed Reflexologist.
Senior Personnel Administrator, PepsiCo International Ltd., Richmond. (Soft drinks and snacks manufacturer/distributor).
Financial Print Sales Executive, R R Donnelley (UK) Ltd, London. (Financial and Security Printer).
Assistant to Purchasing Manager, MBI Inc., Chessington. (Collectibles/Direct Marketer).
Print Production Secretary, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, London. (International Printer).