Surfers Against Sewage Glass Awards created by PCA staff and artist Kurt Jackson Margo R Photography 8286

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3D Design Crafts create glass sculptures for Surfers Against Sewage

Kurt Jackson and technical demonstrators from BA (Hons) 3D Design Crafts create glass sculptures for The Plastic Free Awards, by Surfers Against Sewage.
<p>Expert staff from our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-craft-material-practices">BA (Hons) 3D Design Crafts</a> have been working with internationally renowned artist <a href="https://www.kurtjackson.com/">Kurt Jackson</a> to create the official award sculptures for <a href="https://www.sas.org.uk/">Surfers Against Sewage</a>’s upcoming <a href="https://www.plasticfreeawards.com/">Plastic Free Awards.</a>..</p>
Surfers Against Sewage Glass Awards created by PCA staff and artist Kurt Jackson Margo R Photography 8334

Cornwall based artist Kurt Jackson visits our glass-blowing house to see the final blown glass pieces created for Surfers Against Sewage.

<p>Taking place at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery on Thursday 21 November, <a href="https://www.plasticfreeawards.com/">The Plastic Free Awards</a> will recognise environmental changemakers, from young campaigners to community champions, and small businesses to leading charities across the UK.</p> <p>Having never worked with glass as a medium, Kurt reached out to our Technical Demonstrators <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/amy-whittingham">Amy Whittingham</a> and Lawrence West to facilitate the commission. Each blown glass sculpture recreates the iconic yet disastrous, single-use water bottle, in a handmade recycled and recyclable medium. Discussing the concept and process, Kurt said: “The provenance of materials and the concept behind these awards was crucial. I wanted to create something beautiful in a limited edition, eye-catching, desirable form and each piece unique - a statement that was both sculptural and, as an artist it has to be a piece of art in its own right and deliver a message."</p>
Surfers Against Sewage Glass Awards created by PCA staff and artist Kurt Jackson Margo R Photography 8286
"The whole experience was rewarding and fruitful, in that buzzing enthusiastic space alongside the energy of the students and tutors alike.”
Caroline Jackson, Director of The Jackson Foundation
<p>Reflecting on their experience of collaborating, Caroline Jackson, Director of <a href="https://www.jacksonfoundationgallery.com/">The Jackson Foundation</a> commented, “Plymouth College of Arts glass department is well respected and we would be delighted to work there again - the whole experience was rewarding and fruitful, in that buzzing enthusiastic space alongside the energy of the students and tutors alike.”</p>
Surfers Against Sewage Glass Awards created by PCA staff and artist Kurt Jackson Margo R Photography 8303
<p>In the past two years community action and interest in tackling plastic pollution has soared, following the watershed airing of BBC’s Blue Planet II. This year’s Plastic Free Awards are the first of their kind, and seek to recognise the outstanding work being carried out at all levels to clean our environment, whilst redesigning our relationship with product and material. For a full list of <a href="https://www.plasticfreeawards.org.uk/">award winners </a>and how you can get involved in ocean activism visit <a href="https://www.sas.org.uk/">sas.org.uk</a>.<strong><br /></strong></p> <p><strong>Photographs by Margo Ryszczuk, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-commercial-photography-1">BA (Hons) Commercial Photography</a> graduate and <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/ma-photography">MA Photography</a> student. See more of her work at <a href="https://www.margorphotography.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.margorphotography.com</a>.</strong></p>