Tim Harris
Timothy Harris is the eldest son of the late Michael Harris, who was one of the originators of the British Studio Glass Movement and co-founded Mdina Glass in Malta in 1968 and Isle Of Wight Studio Glass in 1973.
From an early age, Timothy was attracted by the heat and smoke of his father studio. By the time he was 13, standing on a beer crate and assisted by his younger brother Jonathan (now also a leading designer), he was able to make small glass birds. His aptitude for working with hot glass developed under his father’s tutelage, and he decided to make glassmaking his career. After completing formal college studies on the art and craft of glassmaking, in 1980 he returned to the Isle of Wight to join his father’s already successful studio.
Timothy was clearly exceptionally talented, and within a few years his technical innovation, commitment and attention to detail enabled him to take his place alongside the very best designers and glassmakers in Britain. In 1990 he produced a piece of glass as a gift for the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday and in the same year became a Royal Scholar. He used his scholarship to travel to the United States and work with eminent glass artists there. Another Royal assignment occurred in 2012, when he was chosen to make a gift for the Queens Diamond Jubilee on behalf of the people of the Isle Of Wight. He personally presented his Jubilee Bowl to her Majesty in a ceremony at Cowes.
Timothy continues to be fascinated by coloured and textured services, and by working with multiple layers of glass. This has taken him into areas such as sound carving, multi-layered casing techniques and into cameo and Graal (‘Graal’ is the ancient Nordic term for ‘Holy Grail’). Many of his designs are also evocative of the colours, textures and forms found in nature. He particularly enjoys integrating multinational approaches to glassmaking into his pieces. However, the flagship technique of his studio is the incorporation of precious metal such as gold and silver into the designs.
Timothy is now recognised worldwide as a leading designer and maker of studio glass. His work is to be found in the private collections, galleries, museums and retail outlets of many countries. His studio pieces are appreciated by glass enthusiasts as desirable and collectable investments, as well as objects of beauty that are a joy to own and part of the enduring legacy of British craftsmanship.