Cara Wassenberg

I grew up on a farm in Dorset and the decision in 1986 to study Fine Art in the urban, industrial city of Coventry was a stark transition but eventually led me to discovering metal as a preferred medium. I went on to specialise in metalwork and design at Hereford Technical College and then further afield working with artists and metalsmiths in London, Lisbon, Memphis and Berlin. In Berlin I worked with Achim Kuhn, an East German Designer and blacksmith, helping restore some of the cities monumental copper sculptures after the reunification. This initial introduction to the warmth and malleable qualities of copper fed back into my own work when eventually I returned to England.

I continue to look for ways to expand my material knowledge and deepen my skills. In 2012 I was lucky enough to work with the French copper smith Christoph Desvallees in Normandy  and since incorporating cast glass into my work in 2017 I  have had the opportunity  of working with the internationally recognised glass artist  Colin Reid in his studio during  2020. Alongside my own practise I greatly enjoy teaching . I currently teach at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation as a tutor on their metals based short courses.

Selected Exhibitions

2023The World of Glass, St Helens ,Merseyside. Selected Show. Contemporary Glass Society
2023South Hill Park ‘Suspended Matter’ Solo Show and Artists
2022Parndon Mill , Glasshaus+
2022London Glass Blowing. Earth Sea,Sky
2022New Ashgate Gallery “Joyful Reflections”
2021Salisbury Arts Centre ‘Makers Tale’ Panel discussion and exhibition
2021Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden. Summer Show
2020Pyramid Gallery, York. Christmas Collection
2020Gallery 57 Arundel Elements: Wood Metal
2020HABATAT Detroit SILVER online exhibition
2019Echt Gallery Chicago, USA
2019Fresh Air Sculpture Show, Quenington Old Rectory
2019The Garden Gallery, Stockbridge
2019“Inspired” London Glass Blowing, Bermondsey

Professional History

2023Penland School of Craft.North Carolina U.S.A. Winter Residency (selected) in the Metals Studio
2020Tutor at West Dean College for Art and Conservation
2019Part time teaching. University of the Creative Arts , Farnham.
2017-2018Artist in residence, University of the Creative Arts, Farnham.
2015-2017Masters Degree in Metal Work and Glass, University of the Creative Arts, Farnham
2011-2012Artist in residence, Portsmouth Grammar School.
2008-2015Part-time teacher, Bedales School, Petersfield.
2008-currentStudio nr Petersfield, Hampshire.
1992-1998Worked in U.S, Portugal and Germany notably in the workshop of Achim Kuehn (an East German Artist Blacksmith) restoring Berlin’s copper and steel public sculptures after the reunification.
1991-1992Metalwork and Design Course. Hereford College.
1986-1989BA Honours degree in Fine Art. Coventry Polytechnic.

Awards

2019Amanda Moriarty Memorial Prize. A two week residency granted through the Contemporary Glass Society to develop new work in the Glass Studio of Colin Reid

Talks/Publications/Links

20232023 FAIRE magazine ISSUE 8 P62 Cara Wassenberg
2022Artist Blacksmiths Magazine Issue 164 P 14. Places to Swim and Japanese Dreams
2021'Cast glass, copper and Steel: A search for organic interaction (and places to swim)' Online talk to the Contemporary Glass Society
2018Artist Blacksmiths Magazine Issue 153.P. 4 One Thousand Degrees. New Work from Cara Wassenberg.
2018Life in Farnham. Issue 90. June 2018. P22
2013Cara was commissioned to make a piece for the newly designed Rose gardens at Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire. This film shows the making of the model and sculpture in her workshop. (Film credit: Paddy Payne)
Rockingham Castle Water Sculpture - Video 1
Rockingham Castle Water Sculpture - Video 2
2013Striking Women Latifa Siyadi, published by Blue Moon.
2012Artist Blacksmith Magazine Issue 139 Guest editor 'Paths into Art and Craft'
2000The Contemporary Blacksmith, Donna Z Meilach. Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
1995Into the New Iron Age Modern British Blacksmiths. Amina Chatwin. Coach House Publishing.