British Glass: Paul Smith’s Foundation
British Glass is a public exhibition from Paul Smith’s Foundation, showcasing newly commissioned works by five British glassmakers as part of its inaugural British Makers programme.
The exhibition includes new work by Jochen Holz, Gather, Emsie Sharp, Stewart Hearn, and Bristol Blue, reflecting a range of contemporary approaches to British glassmaking and the continued evolution of handblown glass as a living craft.
For Gather founder Phoebe Stubbs, whose practice is rooted in a deep, ongoing devotion to glassmaking, the commission continues an exploration of material, colour, and form developed within our working glassblowing studio in London. Each piece emerges directly from this environment - shaped through heat, rhythm, and hands-on production at the bench.
The exhibition traces each maker’s journey from brief to object, offering insight into process through sketchbooks, in-studio documentation, and material development. It sits between archive and exhibition, highlighting how contemporary glass is made today within specialist studios.
A public panel discussion will take place at Paul Smith, 9 Albemarle Street, London, on Tuesday 12 May 2026 (18:00–20:00), bringing together the participating makers to reflect on the relevance of British craft today. The discussion will be moderated by Alice Morby, Managing Editor of Hypebeast.
