No honours for glass

[aa]

Congratulations to  Prof Magdalene Odundo Ceramicist on her OBE for services to Art and Henry Sandon on his MBE  for services to Broadcasting, the Ceramics ind, and to Charity. 

However, so far as I can see, there are no honours for glass this year in the Queen's birthday honours list.

I've always been fascinated at the way in which these baubles are dished out and how the pecking order is sorted out. I'm a great admirer of Magdelene Odundo and her superb work and I'm really pleased to see that her award is for services to art and not to clay!

In the microcosm that is the little world of ceramics and glass, it seems a slightly exaggerated differential that one should be OBE and the other MBE. It is probably based on a statistical model. I would have thought that with three fields of interest where he has excelled throughout such a distinguished career the Queen might at least have given Henry an OBE as well!!

Apologies if this is a bit subversive - I'll send you a postcard from the Tower. 

[aa]

Actually, the ceramics world did rather well with these two. Nothing for silver/gold/sculpture/design (except fashion) and the nearest crafts got was Rural Crafts - Hedge Laying. Nothing for weaving, wood. Couple of OBE's to painters, though.

[flying free]

I think we need to see glass in more product placement, it needs more PR and we need to see more large scale outdoor or public places type installations - it may then rise a little in people's consciousness in this country.  Perhaps we need a glass piece up for the Turner prize to get some widespread chatter going, or maybe the Tate Modern needs to have some fabulous glass section so that more people see glass as art and in action?

m

[Frank]

Those of us who put a huge effort into getting glass recognised have sort of gotten used it being ignored. Throughout the 2 years that Shiona and I spent on organising the 400th anniversary of glass we were able to stimulate not an iota of official interest with the single exception of the Edinburgh Convention burea who were extraordinarily helpful  But we did get some major exhibitions in most of the museums and ran the largest ever glass conference in the UK. We did make BBC news, quite an achievement for glass, and got good press in Scotland! And we, thanks to Seddon et al, changed Scottish history. We also enjoyed doing it. Still Terris did get an honour at some point!

[KevinH]

I would have thought that with three fields of interest where he has excelled throughout such a distinguished career the Queen might at least have given Henry an OBE as well!!

The Queen does the giving but I bet she has little say in the choosing. Isn't that down to the politicians, strongly guided by whoever provides the best "incentive" in the "best way" for a particular award?

See you in the Tower, Adam, but I reckon I might be thrown in there first.

[Lustrousstone]

Here's something to get you started for next time
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/UKgovernment/Honoursawardsandmedals/DG_067917

[oldglassman]

And we, thanks to Seddon et al, changed Scottish history.

HI Frank , please don't forget it was Ian McKenzies theory that was supported and presented by Dr Seddon.
I can now report that the theory of Sir Robert Strange being the creator of the Diamond point inscriptions on Amen glasses is now being accepted world wide as 'in all probability correct', I can also report that Ian has recently been invited to examine all the Jacobite glass in the 'Corning' and 'Philadelphia' Museums, and give his opinion on authenticity.

All of which is no doubt a result of the wonderfull opportunity that the Scottish Glass Conference created,

quote...'Those of us who put a huge effort into getting glass recognised have sort of gotten used it being ignored.',,,,

I am sure there are more than you think well aware and very appreciative of the great service you and Shiona did for the the great world of glass.

Cheers ,
           Peter.

oooops dont know how that ended up looking the way it does . quote and comment mixed up !!

[Frank]

Yes apologies to Ian.. it was late and I was too lazy to look up his name