John Kenneth Clark
Glasmaler & Auftrags-Künstler - CV
Profile
Scottish glass artist born in Dumbarton, trained at Glasgow School of Art. Freelance commissioned artist since 1983, working in glass painting, acid etching, fused glass, and relief-sculpted glass for churches, cathedrals, synagogues, universities, and public buildings on four continents. Resident in Germany since 1994, in close working collaboration with Derix Glasstudios, Taunusstein. Holder of an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Paisley. Expert in fused glass techniques, particularly Bullseye Glass relief sculpture, project leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Education
2003 — Honorary Doctorate, University of Paisley, Scotland
1982 — MA Design, Glasgow School of Art
1980 — BA (Hons) 1st Class, Glasgow School of Art
Professional Experience
1994 – Present — Freelance Glass Artist, Derix Glasstudios, Taunusstein, Germany
Designed and fabricated custom glass installations, including fused and sculptural works using Bullseye Glass, for international architectural commissions specialising in liturgical and public spaces. Key project: Holy Trinity, Herrmannsacker, Germany (CODAworx Liturgical Arts Award, 2019).
2009 – 2018 — Lead Artist and Arts Coordinator, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kericho, Kenya
Integral member of the architectural design team for a new Catholic cathedral. Lead artist and designer across multiple media including fused glass, bronze relief sculptures, full-scale brass figure, soapstone sculpture, and stone mosaic. Selected and mentored a team of artists and artisans. Acted as videographer and editor, producing comprehensive documentation of the artistic process. Founded Nakshi Glass Studio in Kericho as a permanent legacy of the project.
1983 – 1994 — Freelance Glass Artist, Scotland
Established and operated a studio in Scotland producing bespoke glass works for architectural and liturgical settings. Key project: Paisley Abbey Window (Saltire Society Award, 1990).
1982 – 1985 — Part-Time Lecturer, Stained Glass Department, Glasgow School of Art
Taught advanced glass techniques and mentored students in design and fabrication.
Selected Commissions
2026 — Dalmore Distillery Still House Window, Alness, Scottish Highlands
Ten-panel large-scale fused glass commission, 10 m × 1.8 m, in Bullseye Glass. Made by the artist at the annex studio of Derix Glasstudios, Taunusstein. Collaboration with Threesixty/360 Architects, Glasgow, and Whyte & Mackay. Incorporating a new technique of controlled spontaneity — differing grades of glass frit and cut sheet glass in kiln-fired compositions shaped by thermal reaction during firing. Every panel irreversible, every panel unique.
"Not positioned as art within the space — it is the space." — Laura Schreffler, Haute Living.
2021 — The Shattered Elephant (Unrealised Commission), Uhuru Gardens Museum, Nairobi, Kenya
Full-sized relief sculptures commissioned and made at Nakshi Glass Studio in preparation for translation into fused Bullseye Glass panels for the new museum. The project did not proceed to completion due to loss of funding.
2020 — Glass Triptych, St Xavier Catholic Church, Nairobi, Kenya
2019 — Holy Trinity Church, Herrmannsacker, Germany
Stained glass commission. CODAworx Liturgical Arts Award, 2019.
2009–2018 — Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kericho, Kenya
Lead artist for the full artistic programme of the Cathedral over eight years. Works encompass fused glass, bronze relief sculptures, full-scale brass figure, soapstone sculpture, and stone mosaic.
2010 — Glenmorangie Distillery Window, Scottish Highlands
Relief-sculpted window, approximately 2.5 m square. Fused and slumped over a hand-prepared mould in Bullseye Glass. Still in situ.
2006–2008 — Oran Mór, Glasgow, Scotland
Decorative glass commission for landmark arts and entertainment venue.
c. 2000 — Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow, Scotland
1990s — Queen's Park Synagogue, Glasgow, Scotland
Landmark commission recognised with the Saltire Society Award. Cover art for NYU Press Judaism Book Series.
1990 — Paisley Abbey Window, Paisley, Scotland
Saltire Society Award for Art in Architecture.
1987 — Falklands Memorial Window
Half-scale drawing exhibited at the Imperial War Museum, London, 2007.
Awards & Recognition
2019 — CODAworx Liturgical Arts Award, Holy Trinity Church, Herrmannsacker, Germany
2003 — Honorary Doctorate, University of Paisley, Scotland
2001 — Bene Award, Highest Award for Excellence — Millennium Window
1990 — Saltire Society Award for Art in Architecture — Paisley Abbey Window
1988 — Two Saltire Society Awards for Art in Architecture
Selected Exhibitions
2007 — The Falklands Exhibition, Imperial War Museum, London
2006 — Exhibition of Etchings, Café Gandolfi and Collins Gallery, Glasgow
2000 — Solo Exhibition: Drawings, Designs and Processes, Collins Gallery, Glasgow & Rathaus Foyer, Wiesbaden, Germany
1990 — European Commission Crafts Exhibition, representing Britain, Palais des Papes, Avignon, France
Teaching & Lectures
2022 — International Glass Etching Masterclass, Glashochschule Rheinbach, Germany
2018 — International Glass Etching Masterclass, Glashochschule Rheinbach, Germany
2016 — International Conference, Lamberts Glass
2009 — RIAS Lecture, Edinburgh — leading directly to the Kericho Cathedral commission
2000 — Town and Gown Invitation Lecture, University of Strathclyde and The Herald, Glasgow
1999 — Seminars to Architects, Boston, USA
1998 — Arts Award Lecture, Royal Glasgow Philosophical Society
1997 — Lecture, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
1996 — Lectures, Glasgow Doors Open Day; Mackintosh Society, Glasgow
1994 — Visiting Lecturer, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
1982–1985 — Lecturer in Stained Glass, Glasgow School of Art
Selected Press
2026 — Haute Living — 'Inside The Dalmore's Reimagined Highland Distillery — Where Whisky Becomes Art'
2020 — Art North — Feature by Clare Henry, Spring 2020
2018 — CODAworx Magazine — Kericho Roof Project
2016 — CODAworx Magazine — Garden of Eden Mosaic
2008 — Press coverage in Germany and Scotland — Oran Mór Project
2005 — Art of Glass Magazine, China — Feature articles, issues 17 & 18
2001 — Scottish Life Magazine — Major feature | Korean Crafts Arts Magazine (Crart) — Major feature | NYU Press — Cover art, Judaism Book Series
1998 — Hessen3 Television, Germany — Feature
1993 — The Herald — Feature by Clare Henry
1991 — The Times (front page) | Scottish Sunday Times | Glasgow Herald | Radio 4 Kaleidoscope
1987 — BBC Scottish News | The Scotsman Magazine
Languages
English — Native German — Advanced
Technical Skills
Fused glass — frit drawing, kiln-forming, slumping | Bullseye Glass relief sculpture | Stained glass design, fabrication and installation | Glass etching and advanced surface treatments | Architectural design integration and project coordination | Team mentorship and artisan training | Video production and editing | iPad-based design and composition