Annette Vernon is a glass artist whose practice explores the material qualities and transformative processes of kiln-formed glass. Following a distinguished career in the civil service—where she rose to Director and CIO level and was awarded a CBE for Services to Justice—she developed her artistic practice with a particular focus on glass.
Originally trained in stained glass, Vernon has worked across a wide range of techniques, from cold working to hot processes. Much of her work has centred on “warm glass,” including fusing, slumping and kiln-casting, where heat is used to shape and transform the material. Her approach is driven by the inherent properties of glass—its transparency, depth, reflection and fluidity—embracing both its strength and fragility.
Her Fossil series captures natural forms such as fish and plant life, which are pressed and burned into the glass during firing, leaving detailed impressions suspended within the material. These works reflect an ongoing interest in texture, preservation, and the dialogue between organic forms and man-made process. Each piece is unique, shaped as much by the behaviour of the glass as by the artist’s intent.