
(photo: Sarah Sheldrake)
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
2023 | The World of Glass, St Helens ,Merseyside. Selected Show. Contemporary Glass Society | 2023 | South Hill Park ‘Suspended Matter’ Solo Show and Artists |
2022 | Parndon Mill , Glasshaus+ |
2022 | London Glass Blowing. Earth Sea,Sky |
2022 | New Ashgate Gallery “Joyful Reflections” |
2021 | Salisbury Arts Centre ‘Makers Tale’ Panel discussion and exhibition |
2021 | Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden. Summer Show |
2020 | Pyramid Gallery, York. Christmas Collection |
2020 | Gallery 57 Arundel Elements: Wood Metal |
2020 | HABATAT Detroit SILVER online exhibition |
2019 | Echt Gallery Chicago, USA |
2019 | Fresh Air Sculpture Show, Quenington Old Rectory |
2019 | The Garden Gallery, Stockbridge |
2019 | “Inspired” London Glass Blowing, Bermondsey |
Professional History
2023 | Penland School of Craft.North Carolina U.S.A. Winter Residency (selected) in the Metals Studio |
2020 | Tutor at West Dean College for Art and Conservation |
2019 | Part time teaching. University of the Creative Arts , Farnham. |
2017-2018 | Artist in residence, University of the Creative Arts, Farnham. |
2015-2017 | Masters Degree in Metal Work and Glass, University of the Creative Arts, Farnham |
2011-2012 | Artist in residence, Portsmouth Grammar School. |
2008-2015 | Part-time teacher, Bedales School, Petersfield. |
2008-current | Studio nr Petersfield, Hampshire. |
1992-1998 | Worked 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. |
1991-1992 | Metalwork and Design Course. Hereford College. |
1986-1989 | BA Honours degree in Fine Art. Coventry Polytechnic. |
Awards
2019 | Amanda 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
2023 | 2023 FAIRE magazine ISSUE 8 P62 Cara Wassenberg |
2022 | Artist 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 |
2018 | Artist Blacksmiths Magazine Issue 153.P. 4 One Thousand Degrees. New Work from Cara Wassenberg. |
2018 | Life in Farnham. Issue 90. June 2018. P22 |
2013 | Cara 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 |
2013 | Striking Women Latifa Siyadi, published by Blue Moon. |
2012 | Artist Blacksmith Magazine Issue 139 Guest editor 'Paths into Art and Craft' |
2000 | The Contemporary Blacksmith, Donna Z Meilach. Schiffer Publishing Ltd. |
1995 | Into the New Iron Age Modern British Blacksmiths. Amina Chatwin. Coach House Publishing. |