About Twists Glass

About Michael James Hunter

Since starting as a trainee glass blower at Wedgwood Glass in 1974, Michael has exhibited internationally and has work in both private and public collections across the world. He has demonstrated and given presentations of his work across the UK,  Cologne Germany as well as New Jersey, Chicago IL, Texas, Oklahoma, New England, Tacoma WA, Norfolk VA, Dearborn & Flint MI in the US. Mike and Sue have been a regularUS  visitors since 2006.

A word from the artistII

Since 1981 I have been fascinated by glass in cane form. Originally this fascination stemmed from an antique filigree marble I won as a 9-year-old playing marbles at Primary School.

As a Wedgwood Glass apprentice, starting in June 1974, I became hooked on the creative journeys this medium had to offer, every break I could be found trying to make my ideas turn real. Some worked some did not, but I was learning how to manipulate glass, to make it do what I wanted.

I was brought the book “Modern Glass” by Ronald Stennett-Wilson, the designer at Wedgwood, very early on in my career to encourage my making skills. Which were basic to say the least, however I worked hard to change that! In an old crate of glass left by a glass worker, I found a single piece of millefiori, which I included into one of my “studio” pieces.

About that time I purchased a book containing pictures of 16^th Century Venetian glass and became spellbound by the intricacies of filigree cane work (reminiscent of the marble).

I had found my direction.

Twists Studio Glass was founded in 1998 by Mike and his wife Sue, using recycled 24% lead crystal. Mike had worked with this type of glass all his working life. It fitted in nicely with our designing and manufacturing as well as our recycle, reuse, remake policy. Caring for the environment involves implementing different work practices to reduce emissions without lowering our standard of manufacture. One such technique (see photo above) was demonstrated in 2017, at the Chrysler Museum of Glass hot shop in Norfolk, VA USA. I have demonstrated this technique that involves using only a glory hole and kiln, in front of students, lecturers, and collectors but no one ever seems to notice.

 I am a (self-taught) master of cane working techniques since June 1974, when I first stepped onto the hot shop floor at Wedgwood Glass, which is where I gained strong making foundations. Not an easy journey, one more of a trial and error scenario, which satisfied my inquisitive nature. This mindset of enquiry gave me the drive to overcome problems, to perfect these techniques to the highest standards. One gallery owner in Chicago said I was unique as all the other artists working in this canework had been taught on Murano or by people who have been trained by Murano masters.

I concentrated solely on cane working techniques. Whilst the rest of Britain worked in Swedish and Victorian styles, I was making Venetian filigree, now most of the studios in Britain are dabbling in cane work. A trend I started many decades earlier, and without tutorial instruction from YouTube.

Working in both industry and studio has given my work a very distinctive look, stylish and classy, with each piece made to museum quality.

One thing that is noticeable in my art is the steady progression as my learning process evolved. This can be clearly seen with my one-of-one pieces. Usually, these pieces start with a “what if” idea, and are often sold without being exhibited.

I am a regular visitor to the USA where I exhibit and educate through practical demonstrations and presentations of my experience within this magical world. I am a published author, and 3 years into “My life in Glassmaking” biography.