Designer: Keith Sheppard Glass Artistry

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Handcrafted, bespoke and unique kiln formed glass art. Functional and non-functional glassware, indoor and outdoor sculptures, wall art and presentation pieces and trophies. Corporate and private commissions and installations.

Keith Sheppard workshop 3

About Keith Sheppard Glass Artistry

Artist Keith Sheppard who is based in Moyallan, Co. Armagh in Northern Ireland established his glass art studio in 2012. The business specialises in the production of kiln formed glass art and focuses on the development of high-end bespoke functional and non-functional pieces. His work predominantly involves the infusion of metals into glass; and this process gives each piece a further dimension of uniqueness and identity with enhanced vibrant colourations.

Recently Keith has been involved in creating individual unique sculptural pieces for galleries and private commissions including a 1.7m glass angel. Keith is established in a number of Galleries including the renowned Cecilia Colman Gallery in London and the Guinness Gallery in Dublin. He also produced the Ulster Tatler awards 2018 and 2019 and pieces from his 'The Scandza Collection’ feature at Kilkenny Design Centre.

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by Keith Sheppard Glass Artistry

by Keith Sheppard Glass Artistry

by Keith Sheppard Glass Artistry

by Keith Sheppard Glass Artistry

by Keith Sheppard Glass Artistry

by Keith Sheppard Glass Artistry

Discover more about Keith Sheppard Glass Artistry

Keith’s focus is on the fine arts and architectural / sculptural potential of kiln formed glass, using more advanced and complex techniques, exploring design, composition and colour theory, with the ability to conceive layers of process and material application.

Driven by creativity, the work presented is as a result of an individual process of investigation and critical enquiry, exploring the relationship between glass and natural light and its artistic presentation to optimum display.

It is this focus, high in quality, innovative in its use of materials and the development and fruition of Keith’s aesthetic vision, presented in his innovative Sculptural forms and bespoke drop out vases. Crossing the boundary from, production of functional pieces, to that of a work of art.

As can be seen from the images provided Keith's Glass Art predominantly involves the infusion of metals into the glass; this process gives each piece a further dimension of uniqueness and identity with enhanced vibrant colourations. Not only do you have the presentation of the piece from above but also an additional element of depth, form, tone and colour

Refinement of design and process in Keith’s ‘drop out’ vessel range, has resulted in the presentation of his tulip vessels.The vessel is made using the ‘drop out’ method. A block of glass with the design element is fused in the kiln. Once cooled it is suspended in the kiln on ceramic pillars and a circular former. The glass is re-fired and gravity forces the glass through the ceramic former to produce the vessel. Once cooled the original glass block is removed with a diamond saw and then ‘cold worked’, grinding and polishing. Each vessel is unique in its colourations, bespoke craftsmanship and attention to detail which elevates its desirability.

The ‘Scandza’ Collection focuses on a sleek contemporary, ‘minimalist’ approach to tableware for modern living. The Collection uses ‘Bullseye’ architectural glass incorporating the colours of French Vanilla and Light Turquoise in wisps or streaky design. During the kiln process the light turquoise reacts with the composite minerals of the French vanilla resulting in differing shades of brown. The ‘streaky’ glass is a darker shade than the ‘wisps’ Due to the unique colourations of the glass and firing process, no two pieces will ever be entirely identical

Following this initial process the glass is re-fired to infuse copper into the underside of the glass. The third and last kiln process slumps the glass into a mould. Final cold working and the inclusion of a ‘vein’ in the copper underside identifies the work with my artistic signature. The finished piece is also engraved with my name and year date of production.