Sculpting for success

A University of Wolverhampton graduate has been selected as part of an international awards competition

Louise Ward, a recent MA graduate of Glass Art from the University’s Faculty of Art, has been selected for the Stanislav Libensky Award for 2015.

Louise’s work details the horrors of war in particular the wounds and damage done to soldiers in the First World War. Her progress on the course enabled her to go on to win the Dean's Prize for her work at last year's MA graduate show.

Louise currently works in Pate de Verre making glass heads and masks.

She is one out of the five British representatives in this year’s awards.

Louise Ward said: "To have been selected from so many amazing glass artists from all over the world feels amazing; I have never felt pride like it.

“I am hoping this fantastic opportunity will help me to get one step closer to achieving my dreams of working in the international glass scene.

“I was a complete beginner at the start of my MA and without the support of such amazing staff at the university I wouldn't be where I am now."

The Stanislav Libensky Awards 2015 aim to help development the younger scene of glass artists in an international presentation of some of the best works and helps young artists enter the business world.

The awards attract worldwide competition with up to thirty-five graduates represented from across 23 countries.

Senior Lecturer in Glass in the Department of Applied Arts at the University of Wolverhampton, Dr Max Stewart, said: “On behalf of the department, I would like to express how delighted and proud we are of Louise Ward being included amongst the finalists of the Stanislav Libensky Award 2015.

“Louise was an exemplary student who worked incredibly hard to achieve her results. That tenacity has paid off.

“Her success after leaving University demonstrates the openness of the MA and BA philosophy of encouraging students to pursue their own artistic goals while they are here, but supported by a strong skills base and technical knowledge from within the dept.

“We are looking forward to Louise's future success and her possible return to us to develop her work further on a PhD programme.”

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