Vanessa's work is concerned with pushing the parameters of waterjet cutting technology. In recent years she has been investigating the creative uses of waterjet cutting for glass. This has led to the development of new work that is utilising this cutting edge technology in an imaginative and unique way.
Cutting properties, cutting shapes, lines and milling within sheets of glass that are only possible with such a machine are being explored. Accurate lines, holes and intricate shapes, which can be used in multiples, within single and several layers of glass are being produced. These qualities create work that draws the viewer into the work and the processes that have been applied. The approach is minimal allowing the cutting to maximise the qualities of the architectural glass application. Layering of cut planes is enhanced by the manipulation of natural and artificial lights.
Vanessa trained in Architectural Stained Glass at Swansea Institute and completed a Masters at University of Wolverhampton, before setting set up a studio undertaking a variety of commissions ranging from church restoration to contemporary interiors. In 2000 she moved to Sunderland to undertake research looking at creative uses of waterjet cutting. Vanessa was until recently an architectural glass artist living and working in, the North East employed as a Research Fellow at the University of Sunderland. Her PhD was completed in June 2006. She now lectures at the Welsh School of Architectural Glass, Swansea Metropolitan University, Swansea Wales.
Alongside her work at the University her studio undertakes commissions that utilise her experience and knowledge with the field of architectural glass and waterjet cutting. She has written several papers on water jet cutting glass, given masterclasses and given many presentations in the UK, Europe and the USA. Amongst several projects being undertaken in 2011 are work for Hawk Galleries, Ohio and a book on "New Technologies in Glass" to be published by A.C & Black 2012. Later in the year she will be exhibtiing in Denmark, UK and USA.
