The glassworker James Devereux, one of the best master artisans in Europe, started to train in glass sculpture at the age of 15 and discovered a natural talent for this craft. James specializes in working with hot glass, creating solid forms as well as blown pieces. Over the years, he acquired a vast knowledge of glass working techniques and is always happy to undertake new challenges.
©James Devereux
In 2008, James opened his first studio in the Wiltshire countryside. He became a glass technician at the Royal College of Art in London in 2009, a position that he held until 2013. After leaving London in the same year, he started a studio with Katherine Huskie in the British countryside. James’s mastery of numerous skills and his high technical level contributed to the creation of unique and innovative works. His latest collection of Clovis works can be viewed at Vessel Gallery London.
“Untitled” (2010) ©James Devereux
Glass artwork ©James Devereux
Hot sculpting is a technique in which a solid metal rod is used to gather the molten glass from the furnace, before it is shaped with the use of special tools or by hand sculpting. While the process is similar to blown glass, no actual blowing takes place in the sculpture. The hot sculpting process tends to make much larger solid pieces of glass art.
“Clovis in Steel and Plum” (2015) ©Ester Segarra
“Clovis in Electric Blue” (2015) ©Simon Bruntnell
“Clovis in Aqua and Jade” (2015) ©Simon Bruntnell
“Monolithic in presence”, the Clovis Collection is the result of arduous experiments by James Devereux to literally mark the glass like stone. A blow too hard would simply shatter the piece, while too light a tap could fissure the surface. This technique took many years to perfect and results in smooth, haphazard, juxtaposed lines. The final step in the creation of his glass sculptures is flame polishing, softening the edges to be smooth to the touch.
“Clovis”‘ Detail (2015) ©Simon Bruntnell
Clovis in Amethyst and Clovis in Amber are two monolithic sculptures mounted on an aluminium base and they are the result of James Devereux’s experimentation with glass sculpture. The surface of the molded sculpture was fragmented, as if working stone. The jagged lines of the chipped edge contrast with the rest of the smooth surface of the art piece.
“Clovis in Amber” from the Best of Europe room in Homo Faber 2018 ©Michelangelo Foundation
“Clovis in Amethyst” ©Michelangelo Foundation
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