Internationally acclaimed, glass artist, Charlie Macpherson, creates unique pieces of hand-blown contemporary glass for gardens and interiors, balancing the beautiful simplicity of his forms with a more complex use of texture, line and pattern. The stimulating and aesthetic nature of his work has led to pieces being included in public and private collections in Europe, America, Hong Kong, Australia and Canada.
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
The Studio Glass Movement, predominately in the USA, glass artists such as Harvey Littleton and more recently Dale Chihuly and Lino Tagliapietra, turning glass into an art form and making sculptural forms with the material.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
Every morning to my studio for peace and quiet and focus.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
Observing the world, both in my immediate surroundings and from a wider perspective to be aware of what influences me and my aesthetic. Researching and developing ideas creatively and technically, often drawing on years of experience to develop an idea and take it to a place that I want it to go. Each piece is an exploration of a greater journey, often informing the next piece that I make.
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
Lino Tagliapietra - watching him create his work is incredibly humbling. His understanding and vision are unequalled.
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
Music
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
I listen to a lot of comedy and interviews. I love the stories that people tell, often inspiring but always with a sense a humour.
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
One of Stephan Dam's Block series - stunning
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
Corning Museum of Glass or the V&A.
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
To keep learning and developing - speak to galleries and help them understand your work.
10) What is your favourite book of all time (fiction or non-fiction)?
Ender's Game - I don't read a lot of science fiction, but I was given this to read by an English teacher when I was about 14. I have re-read it so many times and still enjoy it every time!
11) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non-traditional art setting, where would that be?
I came across a book called The Glass Garden by Joyce Dunbar which I would love to turn into a performance of some sort, creating the garden as described in the book out of glass.
12) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
Not to be constrained by technique. Work out your ideas them think about how to make it. There's always a way.
13) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
Still creating one-off pieces in my studio.
