13 - The Secret Garden: Cameo Glass by Helen Millard

 

The Secret Garden is the first solo show by Helen Millard. The exhibition features works borrowed from private collectors, some on public display for the first time, as well as new work for sale.  It also includes a selection of limited edition photographs by Simon Bruntnell, who has captured some of the intricate detail of Helen’s work. 

 

Not only is Helen a gifted engraver, she also blows her own blank vessels for engraving. In the 19^th century glass factories this was unheard of and even today it is highly unusual to find the skills of a glassmaker and a glass decorator combined in one artist.  She is deeply influenced by historical glassmaking techniques, yet combines these with her love of nature to create modern works of art in glass.  

 

Helen completed a degree in glass at West Surrey College of Art & Design in 1989.  This was followed by a long and enjoyable apprenticeship at The Glasshouse in London.  From 1999 until 2005 she worked as a lecturer at The International Glass Centre, in Brierley Hill, West Midlands. 

 

During this period Helen came to admire the Stourbridge cameo glass on display at Broadfield House Glass Museum and realised the strong links of the Victorian cameo artists to her own work.

 

Cameo carving is an ancient technique perfected by the Romans but the technique was lost for many centuries until the 19^th century when the pioneering glassmakers in the Stourbridge area competed with each other to recreate cameo glass.  Cameo carving is one of the most difficult skills to master in glass.  The ‘blank’ vessel is made up of layers of coloured glass and the artist has to carve away areas to reveal the pattern or image using the coloured layers.  

 

Helen has now developed her own style of cameo art glass using stunning colour combinations and traditional techniques.  Each piece is unique and depicts her love of nature – from the most delicate insect wing to the power of a polar bear. 

 

“I feel very fortunate to have discovered glass as a medium with which to express myself and continue to be fascinated by the diverse nature and unique qualities of this material”

 

“Broadfield House Glass Museum with its dedicated display of cameo glass is the perfect home for this exhibition and I would recommend it to residents and visitors.”