Glenys Barton

b. 1944

Glenys Barton studied at the Royal College of Art (1968-71) and creates work that focus upon themes of humanity, referring to both specific people and the nature of human relationships. The surface quality and colour of her work plays a central role and the incredible strength and intensity of her work has often taken it beyond the realm of ceramics to other materials.

The highly polished piece ‘Birth’ was created for the first Sterling Stuff exhibition in 2002. Talking of the piece and the exhibition Barton said: “I love the colour of silver. I never wear gold, and highly polishing it to reflect the figures gave added excitement and depth to the piece... I realise now, in 2008, that this piece also expresses what I had felt as a mother when my son left home around that time. Perhaps its title “Birth” should be changed to “Letting Go”. I often find, in hindsight, that the subjects that crop up in the studio unconsciously turn out to mirror the events and emotions of life.”