Frederick Birkhill
“During the creation of the form, I will often enter a state of semi-unconsciousness. I think much of my imagery is derived from this, my unconscious mind.” ‒ Frederick Birkhill
Over a lifetime, Frederick Birkhill (1951–2023 ) has explored the unique qualities of glass and the numerous techniques and intricacies of working with it. The result of these decades of study is a body of work that is extraordinary in scope, technical expertise, and sheer virtuosity. From his time in England at Burleighfield House, the studio of stained-glass artist Patrick Reyntiens, to his unprecedented visit to Lauscha, the village in East Germany famous for both its art and scientific glass production, and his subsequent career as an explorer, teacher, and master of the glass arts, Birkhill has devoted himself to furthering the appreciation of the medium and sharing his vast experience with colleagues, collectors, and students.
His works appear in numerous museum collections, including those of The Corning Museum of Glass, the Museum of Arts and Design, the Mint Museum, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Smithsonian.
* Originally published in The Daguerreian Annual 2019-2020, the journal of The Daguerreian Society
