Junko Eager: Glass engraving artist

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A note about techniques.

Stippling: making dots with a sharpened tungsten needle. When it's dense, becomes white. No dots, remains blank (dark). It is good to show light and shadow.

Sand blasting: used to make textured surface (matt) or to engrave thin part of glass.

Drill: like a dentist drill. I use it for deep engraving (entaglio), letters and making shades with polisher. I use water to drip on the glass when I engrave deep to keep the glass and the diamond point cool.

Copper wheel engraving: I purchased this machine in 2005. It is an ancient technique. Copper discs are attached to a spindle. Use grit and some oil on rotating copper and the grit cuts the glass (not the copper). Because I have to lift up the glass, instead of bringing drill to glass, it is very difficult. I am still practicing.

Junko Eager was born in Japan and graduated from Art College in Tokyo in 198 with a BA in Fine Art. She moved to UK in 1989 and discovered the art of glass engraving and was taught by various tutors, qualifying as a craft member of the Guild of Glass Engravers in 1995. Contact me for commissions.

Exhibitions

Junko has exhibited in the Scottish Glass Society and Guild of Glass Engravers exhibitions:

2005 Guild Northern Branch exhibition at National Glass Centre, Sunderland
2005 SGC exhibition at Strthearn Gallery, Crieff
2005 Blossom Festival at Hill House, Helensburgh
2004 SGC exhibition at Dundas Street Gallery, Edinburgh
2003 SGC exhibition at Gallery Q2, Dundee
2002 SGC exhibition at Strathean Gallery, Crieff
2002 Guild exhibition at Gallery 27, London
1997 Scottish Glass Society exhibition at Caithness Glass Visitor Centre, Perth
1997 Guild exhibition at Globe Theatre, London

My home page lists upcoming exhibitions or contact me to be kept in touch about future exhibitions

As part of the Helensburgh Blossom Festival, she exhibited six pieces of her glass at Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Hill House in 2005.

Some of her work can be seen on the web sites of the Scottish Glass Society and Guild of Glass Engravers.

History and influences

I liked painting as a child and graduated in oil painting from Art College in Tokyo. I gradually lost interest in painting but could not find what I really wanted to do.

After I moved to London in 1989, I came across an exhibition of some engraved glass on the South Bank one day and was struck by the beauty of it. I had no experience of this craft but found out about the Guild of Glass Engravers, became a lay member and started studying. I engraved for a number of years on and off but took a break in the late 1990s as I had young children to look after.

My inspiration comes from nature and I am particularly interested in water and fish. I am interested in water which I think suits this medium, glass. I love to create three-dimensional illusions. Consequently I try to achieve a “natural” look, as much by how I use the blank areas of the design as by how I design the engraved parts.

I have noticed more influence of oriental art on my glass recently. I must be sharing the sense of beauty on passing seasons, which related to Japanese Buddhism, like any other Japanese.

I am a craft member of Guild of Glass Engravers (who have been very supportive). I live in Glasgow and also belong to the Scottish Glass Society.