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Meet the Maker: Elin Isaksson

What inspired you to get into glass blowing?

I started out painting on to ready made glass objects and further on I wanted to create my own shapes and forms to paint on to. When I finally found the excitement of blowing glass I forgot all about the painting!

What’s the most exciting or meaningful commission you’ve had?

I think it was my first ever big commission. It was for Edinburgh University in 2006, just as I started up my own business as a glass maker. It gave me the initial confidence to believe in my work as a professional artist. This commission is now annual.

Are there any artists you particularly admire, and who inspire or influence your work?

Dante Marioni and Dale Chihuly. Both make objects made with very high skills in a very delicate and organic way, using clean modern shapes but still keeping with a strong recognisable character.

Tell us about the collection you’re presenting in Meet Your Maker.

I will be showing my newest lighting pieces, which use blown glass combined with traditional skills and contemporary aesthetics, producing chandeliers and innovative glass pendants. The glass together with modern minimal stainless steel frames are enlightened with environmental friendly LEDs.

My lighting can be tailor-made depending on the customer's needs and the specific site involved. I am using traditional glass blowing techniques, making every piece unique.

My lighting works have come about through extended research and photographing of plants at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh.

I will also produce some smaller lighting works for the selling exhibition. This work was inspired by ice and snow during one of my cross country skiing trips in snow covered Sweden. Here my work will play with clear and white colours, transparency and soft organic forms.