Jan Simpson

I’m a glass artist drawn to the quiet dialogue between light, colour, and form. Originally trained in heritage stained glass, I’ve spent over 25 years blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary techniques—creating work that is both rooted and exploratory. I teach short courses in Stained and Fused Glass techniques from my studio.

Raised in Hong Kong and New Zealand, now based on the south coast of England, my pieces often reflect a deep sense of place and personal story. Each one is a held moment—narrative, memory, and emotion rendered in glass.

Having recently completed a BA in Glass and Ceramics through Farnham University, I have been focusing on expanding the expressive potential of heritage stained glass—developing three dimensional casting and moulding techniques that enrich both its narrative depth and material presence. My work seeks to honour the integrity of this now endangered craft whilst redefining its place in contemporary art and design—bridging centuries of tradition with modern innovation, and preserving rare skills through thoughtful evolution.

I work primarily with kiln-formed, fused, and painted glass, often integrating flame-worked elements and recycled offcuts from my practice. Each piece is designed to interact with natural light—whether freestanding, suspended, or architectural.