Category: Art

For Lumiere 2015, Richard is working with Alison Lowery.  Here is a little bit more about her, and their partnership together.

Alison is a native of Durham City. Her father was born in Sidegate, and he has many nefarious tales of his upbringing next to the Wear.  Both her parents are from mining families and she has grown up with all the tales of St Cuthbert, including the night his mist saved Durham from German bombs.  She feels that the first glimpse of the Cathedral from the train is one of the most evocative sensations of “ home” that she could experience.
Alison ​returned to her home city of Durham after training as a doctor, specialising in psychiatry, and working in several local hospitals before retiring in 1996. She has since completed a First Class B.A. Hons. in Photography, Video and Digital Imaging and an MA (Merit) in Glass, both at the University of Sunderland. Alison runs her business from her home studio, and is committed to working locally with community groups.
She is enthusiastically looking forward to taking part in Lumiere, to celebrate art, light and the culture of her city. She was delighted to be asked to contribute to the events around the display of the Lindisfarne Gospels, designing fused glass jewellery and running workshops.
She met Richard whilst doing t’ai chi in Framwellgate Moor, and the whole idea was born over a few cups of coffee after a practice session!

Following Richard and Alison’s BRILLIANT win, we received some coverage in the North East media.
 
Find links to the articles below:

Durham County Council website
The Northern Echo
Living North
Evening Chronicle
Durham Advertiser (right, click for a larger image)
Durham Times

 
If you’ve seen any other articles about our win, please let us know!
 
You can find Alison’s website and blog at www.entropyglassart.com – keep checking both of our websites for updates.
Update – 19 June 2015: Sunderland University Alumni magazine

Richard and Alison’s “BRILLIANT” commission is one of four artworks which have been commissioned by Artichoke for the Lumiere light festival 2015.
“BRILLIANT” is a competition where anyone based in, or originally from the North East of England can apply with an idea for a light work at Lumiere Durham.  A record number of applications (102) were received, and four winners were selected.
All the installations will be on show at the Lumiere fesitval in Durham, which this year takes place between 12th – 15th November 2015.
Richard Hornby and Alison Lowery
Richard and Alison met at t’ai chi classes and discovered they both had a mutual interest in science. Richard runs an Educational Consultancy business and is an enthusiastic amateur astronomer. Alison is a retired doctor who went on to study photography, video and digital imaging and glass at the University of Sunderland and runs a jewellery business from her home studio. Both have deep family roots in Durham and its mining heritage going back several generations.
Their winning idea is a work that explores the magic of refraction and the constituent parts of light that make up the rainbow, and is inspired by the UNESCO International Year of Light 2015.
The other winners are:
Louise McKenzie, a Newcastle based artist currently studying at BALTIC and Northumbria University.  Her winning idea draws on her recent research into the invisible world of cyanobacteria, and promises to reveal its unearthly beauty in a work that will appeal to scientists and non-scientists alike.
Victoria MacLeod, a retired teacher from Sunderland who plans to turn a well known hobby into an eye catching light installation.
Robyn Wright, born and raised in Darlington and currently studying at Cleveland College of Art and Design.  Robyn will re-invent a popular mode of transport using light, which fits perfectly with our brief to delight and surprise audiences.