Elin Isaksson

Elin originates from Sweden, where her studies at Orrefors Glass School in 1998 sparked her passion for blown glass making. She studied at Edinburgh College of Art in 2001 after spending time assisting three glass blowers in Gothenburg and completed her BA (Hons) and her Masters in Glass & Architectural Glass Design, whilst also working with Lindean Mills Glass, at Galashiels.

She then did further courses including Fusing & Casting with Rudi Gritch in Italy, and Master Glassblowing courses under Simon Moore and Dante Marioni at the Northlands Creative Glass Centre. In May 2006 Elin set up her business in Stirling as a professional Designer and Glassmaker, whilst also being an Artist in Residence at Edinburgh College of Art and teaching on a part-time basis. Elin was selected as a regional winner in the Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2007.Elin's work is highly varied, stretching from fluid-shaped sculptural work, to wall lights and oil-lamps, to versatile architectural blocks that are used as wall instillations and window panes. Her techniques are: glassblowing, hot casting and kiln casting, sometimes mixed to achieve a more unique finish.

"Glass reflects atmospheres and emotions. I feel making glass is a way of accessing a world increasingly excluded from our everyday life. For me working with hot glass is a privilage. I enjoy the quick decision making process and the fluid temperament of the material with its challenges to shape it exactly the way you want. I take my inspiration from the play in nature and light, texture and movement. Forms bend and twist organically as in nature. The objects are not necessarily a descriptive picture of the natural world, but through the elastic, tactile abstraction they relate to and represent the environment."