Nicola Darke

BA (Hons) Artist Designer Maker

I am inspired by the seemingly endless possibilities afforded by glass, a material used in art for centuries, long before it was put to a practical use. I use kiln forming glass processes allowing me to rework items until I achieve my aim, or the works can be repurposed. There is no waste. Pieces may have been through multiple firings to achieve the finished result.

My work is designed so that the combination of light and colour is pleasing to the viewer, as this can have a positive effect on the spirit.

I have developed my collection along two paths.

‘Light and Vase’ combinations which are suitable for any home. Made from similar selections of glass they are heated until they fall. While the light is supported as it falls, the vase is on its own , only being caught when it hits rock bottom. The resulting shapes are of equal beauty. This reflects the possibility for development and success in adversity.

The ‘Families’ are more personal and are meant to reflect the owner’s family. Originally inspired by my own collection of mother and baby figures received as gifts to celebrate births. My figures can represent any family. The curved shape allows them to embrace or ‘cwtch’. Colour choice is personal and there is a myriad of options to produce an original family, including number of figures, ages, colour and tones. Each family is unique. A true replication of your family, past, present or future as more figures can be added at a later date.


Rwy’n cael fy ysbrydoli gan y posibiliadau diddiwedd a gynigir gan wydr, deunydd sydd wedi cael ei ddefnyddio mewn celf ers canrifoedd, ymhell cyn iddo gael ei ddefnyddio’n ymarferol. Rwy’n defnyddio prosesau ffurfio gwydr mewn odyn, sy’n caniatáu i mi ailffurfio darnau hyd nes y byddaf yn hapus â nhw, neu fod defnydd arall ar eu cyfer. Nid oes unrhyw wastraff. Gall darnau fod wedi eu tanio sawl gwaith cyn eu bod yn orffenedig.

Cynlluniwyd fy ngwaith fel bod y cyfuniad o liw a goleuni yn ddeniadol i’r llygad, oherwydd bod hynny’n gallu rhoi hwb i’r enaid.

Datblygwyd fy nghasgliad i ddau gyfeiriad.

Mae cyfuniadau ‘Golau a Fâs’ yn addas ar gyfer unrhyw gartref. Wedi’u creu o ddarnau o wydr tebyg i’w gilydd, maen nhw’n cael eu cynhesu nes eu bod yn toddi. Mae’r golau’n cael ei gynnal wrth iddo ddisgyn, ond nid y fâs, sy’n disgyn nes iddi daro’r gwaelod. Mae’r siapiau sy’n deillio o’r ddwy broses mor brydferth â’i gilydd, ac yn adlewyrchu’r posibilrwydd ar gyfer datblygu a llwyddiant mewn adfyd.

Mae’r ‘Teuluoedd’ yn fwy personol ac i fod i adlewyrchu teulu’r perchennog. Fe’u hysbrydolwyd yn wreiddiol gan fy nghasgliad fy hun o ffigurau mam a baban a dderbyniwyd fel rhoddion i ddathlu genedigaethau. Gall fy ffigurau gynrychioli unrhyw deulu. Mae’r siâp crwm yn caniatáu i’r darnau gofleidio neu gwtsho. Dewis personol yw’r lliw, ac mae amryfal opsiynau ar gael er mwyn creu teulu gwreiddiol o ffigurau, o ran nifer, oedran, lliwiau ac arlliwiau. Mae pob teulu yn unigryw. Atgynhyrchiad cywir o’ch teulu, ddoe, heddiw ac yfory, gan y gallwch ychwanegu mwy o ffigurau yn ddiweddarach.

Other Exhibitors:

Emma Don

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Bethan Lowri Hughes Jones

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Bethan Grace Mason

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