Angela Brady is a fused glass craftsperson, DCCI member and a member of 10 Hands Crafts. Angela is also an architect director at Brady Mallalieu Architects, artist, and TV broadcaster who champions design and craft internationally.
Angela has been working as an artist using fused glass for 15 years and has exhibited many times at the Barbara Stanley Gallery London and galleries in Ireland, as well as annually with the West Cork Creates group in West Cork.
Her glass artworks are also exhibited in various group shows with “Shoreline” in the Blue Egg Gallery in Wexford, The Mill Cove Gallery in Kenmare, the Etain Hickey collection in Clonakilty and also shows her glass works at the Uillin West Cork Arts Centre.
What’s a typical day in the studio like for you?
I love creating works for exhibitions and I curate the group 10 Hands Crafts so I am always busy making for a show. I create a variety of works which show different shapes of fused glass bowls, plates or jewellery. In the studio I plan to make six pieces across a few weeks based on a theme. I start by drawing out the ideas and then making templates to work from, I then cut out the designs in glass and arrange them for the first firing. The second firing is where the fused flat plate of the design is formed into a specific bowl mould or “slumped” shape. You can never tell in advance how it will actually turn out until the end of the firing.
What do you like most about your work?
I love the craft of glass making – you can make virtually any design you like, within the limitations of the glass. I also like to make architectural glass panels or specific panels.
What do you like least about your work?
Glass has sharp edges so plasters are always needed to be at the ready. It is sometimes difficult to post abstract glass art works as it is so fragile, hand delivery is best.
What’s your favourite craft item in your home?
I made a large glass blue beetle bowl for a show I curated for the year of Irish Design in 2015. I use it to showcase the variety of glassware, I don’t want to sell it s it is special to me and my family.
Go for it! Life is too short so take the plunge, what's the worst that can happen. Definitely connect in with DCCI and your local LEO office straight away as the supports for the sector are really helpful.
Angela Brady
Glass Artist
What other maker in your discipline do you most look up to?
I love the work of Michael Ray who I featured in my TV series ‘Designing Ireland’ on RTÉ episode 3. Historically we have the wonderful works of Harry Clarke, found in so many churches and in museums in Ireland and the UK. Contemporary glass artists I admire are Róisín de Buitléar, Colette Langan and Richard Paton.
What advice would you give someone who is considering this craft career?
It’s fun and you can make all kinds of gifts for family and friends and join other groups for exhibitions and market opportunities. I like to promote fused glass and am planning a new TV series to bring it to the public in a fun way.
How do you start your day?
Coffee and news online, emails and list of tasks, then in to the studio to check if anything in the kiln is ready for taking out.
What’s the first thing you do when you leave the studio?
Cook dinner and ring some pals or family for a catch up.
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