Bethan Yates – Professional Winner
1st Place
Professional Stained Artist
Bethan Yates' submission showed a powerful design with strong use of colour and composition that would work very well translated into glass. The dizzying interplay between moving lines and colour is a good representation of the highs of the Jubilee to the lows of HM the Queen's funeral and a nod to hallmarks of modern art. The symbols and details within the design were also intriguing and showed the artist's research and consideration of aspects of the role of Lord Mayor and Vincent's personal interests.
Artistic Description
The concept for this design is balance/fairness. Scales reference Alderman Keaveny's career in law and significant role within the sector. The gold coin-style discs are a subtle nod to his work with the Financial Services Sector. There are nine, as these represent the nine livery companies within the ward of Farringdon Within. Modular balancing shapes represent the mounting opportunities provided to talented individuals by the City – regardless of background, beliefs or nationality – illustrating the theme of balance and fairness. Vincent was fortunate to benefit from these opportunities himself. The London skyline acknowledges Vincent’s passion for the City and his efforts for improvement through sensitive development, road safety and addressing issues around rough sleeping. The blues/greens represent his Irish heritage and its links across the water with the City. The music notes and theatre masks throughout the design reflect Vincent’s love of the arts, specifically his work with ‘Exaudi’ and theatre company, ‘Actors Touring Company’.
Technical description
The roundel would be made using Lamberts, mouth blown flash glass. The blue on clear flash will be gradually and carefully etched, sandblasted and fire polished to produce the shape of the scales and the modular shapes. I will add different tones to the blue using both silver stain and enamel. The music notes, darker elements of the scales and the City of London skyline will all be hand painted using Reusche glass paint and then fired in the kiln. The yellow discs will be pieces of float glass painted with silver stain to achieve a golden colour. They will have rounded and polished edges and be bonded onto the blue backing glass using two-part silicone to create a three-dimensional, tactile element to the piece. A streaky green/blue glass will be used for the base, with lettering painted on and fired. A lead surround will encircle the roundel, with the only other piece of lead sitting below the London skyline – connecting the blue glass above with the green glass below.