Artists selected for the 2009 BIGG: Breakthrough Ideas in Global Glass are:

Artist Statement
The interior spaces of my work suggest a microscopic world. This hidden aspect of nature is my strongest influence, forms that are alien and also familiar, compelling yet repulsive. I want to convey a sense of wonder and curiosity, something unexpected. Exploring the interior through ideas of the pregnant form and germination, I form the object from the inside out, suggesting a process of transformation. I try to preserve the soft and elastic qualities of the hot material in my finished work. It is the translucent properties of glass, rather than transparency that I am drawn to. The layering of transparent and opaque glass

Biography
Laura gained experience in several production studios, making work from stemware to solid sculpture. This gave her a broad range of experience and understanding of the material qualities of glass, that are integral to her recent work. In 2006 she graduated from the Royal College of Art, and won 'Best Newcomer' in the Bombay Sapphire Prize, which toured in Italy, France and New Zealand. In 2007 Laura undertook a residency at Konstfack college of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm, Sweden, funded by th Anglo-Swedish Society. Exhibitions include the 2004, 2006 and 2008 British Glass Biennales and Collect at the V&A. Her work has been shown in Switzerland, Estonia and Holland.


Resume
Education    
2004 – 2006    The Royal College of Art, MA in Glass
1990 – 1994    Buckinghamshire College of Higher Education, BA (Hons) Three Dimensional Design, Specializing in Hot glass

Awards and Residencies
2007    Residency at Konstfack, College of Arts, Crafts and Design. Stockholm, Sweden. Funded by The Anglo-Swedish Society

2006    “Best Newcomer”
The Bombay Sapphire Prize.
“Best of British Industry Awards”
Commission to design and produce a trophy

2005    The Charlotte Fraser Prize, Awarded for best in show at the Ceramic and Glass dept. Work In Progress show, RCA.

Press and publications
Process. 50 Product designs from concept to manufacture By Jennifer Hudson, Laurence King Publishing Ltd. 2008, Interior landscape vases – Laura Birdsall, p.46 – 49

Hatatsubaki April 2007, “Space Hunt” ½ page feature, Japanese magazine featuring fashion, art and photography

Millers 20th Century Glass, by Andy McConnell, Octopus Publishing, 2006, Image p.50

Crafts, Nov/Dec 2006, Issue No.203, “At the second British Glass biennale the future looked bright”, Lesley Jackson, One of 8 selected artists.

The World of Interiors, October 2006, “Design Unwrapped” Image p.118.

British Glass Biennale, Exhibition catalogue 2004, 2006, 2008

Selected Exhibitions
2009    Same Difference 09, Corning, U.S,
Spring at the Lund, Lund Gallery, Easingwold, U.K

2008    Christmas Exhibition, Gallerie Helene Poree, Paris, France
British Glass Biennale, Ruskin Mill, Stourbridge, West Midlands, U.K
Show case, Gallerie Helene Poree, Paris, France
Enchanted, SDC Gallery, London
International Artists, Glass Inspiration, Burgdorf, Switzerland

2007    Autumn/Winter, Glass Inspiration, Burgdorf, Switzerland
Oisterwijk Sculpture 07, Etienne and Van den Doel, The Netherlands
40 Years of Glass Graduates From The Royal College Of Art, Collect ‘07’ - V&A, London

Get Fresh, The Devon Guild Of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracy, Devon

2006    Bombay Sapphire Glass Prize, Studio 95, The Old Truman Brewery, London, Old Sofrana, Auckland, N.Z, Galerie De La Manufacture Nationale De Sevres, Paris - Milan Salone Del Mobile, Superstudio Piu, Milan, Italy
British Glass Biennale, Ruskin Mill, Stourbridge, West Midlands

New Designers, Business Design Centre, London
Generation, The Royal College of Art, London
Discovery, Gallery Kullo, Tallinn, Estonia

2004    British Glass Biennale, Ruskin Mill, Stourbridge, West Midlands

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