Janet Simpson

Glass has always drawn me in for one simple reason: light. I’m fascinated by the way it moves through the material—changing it, animating it, making it come alive. That quiet conversation between light, colour, and form is at the heart of everything I create.

I was born in New Zealand, raised in Hong Kong, and now live and work on the south coast of England. Each place has shaped how I see the world—coastlines and calm seas, the whisper of tropical breezes through bamboo, the vivid clutter of street markets, and the quiet beauty of English stained glass. These threads of place, memory, and atmosphere run through my work, anchoring it in personal experience.

Originally trained in heritage stained glass, I’ve spent over 25 years building a practice that weaves traditional techniques with contemporary approaches. Self-taught in fused glass, I’ve always sought to expand the language of stained glass—experimenting with light, texture, and depth. Studying at university gave me the opportunity to stretch this further, exploring casting and other sculptural methods that bring new dimensions to my work.

This body of work brings together personal memory, cultural symbolism, and a love of craft.

Where the Seahorse Waits revisits a theme from 2001, inspired by childhood swims in the Asian seas—drifting seahorses glimpsed through seaweed, reimagined with new materials and techniques.

蛇 Shé – The Serpent Year honours the quiet power of the Wood Snake, a symbol of transformation and renewal, drawn from the rhythms of the Lunar calendar and my memories of rural Hong Kong.

The Platinum Window is a study for a commission at Felpham Church—England’s national flowers encircling the chalice, symbol of faith and continuity, rendered in glass that unites tradition and contemporary craft.

Alongside my own practice, I run workshops from my Bognor Regis studio—sharing techniques and the quiet joy of working with glass. Whether guiding beginners or supporting more advanced makers, I’m passionate about keeping this living craft accessible, creative, and full of possibility.