Glassmaker and photographer combine for first show back at Oxmarket

Glassmaker Sue Tinkler and photographer Paul Sansome have joined forces to present an exhibition of photography and kiln-formed glass, PhotoFusion, at Chichester’s Oxmarket Gallery from April 13-25.
Paul Sansome - Green energyPaul Sansome - Green energy
Paul Sansome - Green energy

Paul said he and Sue are “unusual, if not unique” in that they are artists working in very different genres, who have come together in a very successful collaboration to inspire and influence each other: “This has resulted in stunning themed collections that feature chalk streams, local woodlands, the coast and shoreline as well as wilder landscapes such as Iceland and the Hebrides.

“The two art forms, including limited edition long exposure photographs and kiln-formed sculpted and free-standing art glass, harmonise to create an exhibition rich with texture and colour. It provides an uplifting, immersive experience that celebrates the seasons, breath-taking landscapes and focuses on semi-abstract details from our natural and industrial heritage.”

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This collaborative approach came about when the two artists discovered a number of coincidences in their individual artistic journeys and a shared appreciation of place, landscape and detail.

Between them, Paul said, they have developed a complementary body of work that encompasses textural, shaped glass bowls and atmospheric semi-abstract photography.

Sue said: “We began working together due to discovering a number of shared coincidences, including visiting and being inspired by the same far-flung locations and viewpoints. Working collaboratively seemed a very natural development.”

Sue and Paul have worked together on a series of exhibitions, but this is their first in Chichester.

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Sue is a nationally-exhibited glass artist. She is a trained graphic designer who has been working with glass for 20 years, using a variety of materials and techniques including sheet, granular and powdered glass, pâte de verre, casting, slumping, silk-screen printing and embossing.

She draws inspiration from patterns and textures in the natural world and industry, including the working farm next to her studio. She also works on commission to create splashbacks, glass panels, jewellery and corporate trophies, as well as running fused glass courses for beginners from her studio in Winchester.

“I draw most inspiration from the changing seasons, patterns and textures found in the natural world as well as scenes and themes of industry and, in particular, the working farm next to my studio.”

Paul is a Dorset-based, fine art and travel photographer creating artistic photography in limited editions.

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He focuses on portraying emotion, telling a story, and capturing fleeting moments – such as light in the landscape, he explains.

He has had the rare accolade of being awarded in Landscape Photographer of the Year, Travel Photographer of the Year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year and International Garden Photographer of the Year.

Paul said: “One of the compelling facets of photography is the diverse range of genres that we are able to give our attention to. One common thread through these genres is that the timing of the shot is critical – a fleeting moment of light in the landscape, a moment of animal behaviour or the flash of emotion on a person’s face.”