Martin Burnell

e: mburnell@cardiffmet.ac.uk
t: 02920416742

Specialist Subject Areas

Fusing, slumping, and casting glass
Casting of resin, wax and pewter
Fondu Cement casts
Making moulds
Making Paper
Upholstery
Carpentry (Classic Car interiors)
Wire work
Spot welding to jewellery
Wood finishes including French Polishing
Paint techniques including marbling, graining and dragging

Other interests Include cycling, model making, calligraphy, learning Illustrator an Adobe package. Currently experimenting in reclaiming reusing glass bottles and window glass, slumping flat, then overlaying pieces to fuse and slump them together. Making plates at present hopefully to advance to then make wall hangings. Making different moulds(a science of its own) to slump the glass onto which has endless possibilities. Passing on my knowledge to Students.

Qualifications

City and Guilds in Painting Decorating, Distinction in Practice

Biography

Came to Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC) (then South Glamorgan institute for Higher Education) in 1989 to do a City and Guilds Decorating course. Within six months of the course I was asked to join the Decorating team and was allowed to continue my studies part time. I came away with a First in Theory and a Distinction in Practice, loved every minute of it. Prior to that I had been a Coachbuilders apprentice working for a brilliant man who learnt the trade from working for a famous Bristol car company. The job entailed us stripping all manner of classic cars for refurbishment making hoods, seats, door panels, making and veneering dashboards, in fact renewing everything in it. This is where I believe I got my love of making, learning new techniques and generally loving process.

In 1995 I was attached to the Foundation course in Art and Design. Here I was lucky enough to work along side a brilliant academic who was a Designer Maker. He led the 3D side of foundation, where I was shown a whole host of new and fascinating techniques ( -some downright dangerous, Cast Iron Pouring- But that’s another story!). Whilst at Llandaff our workshops started catering to the needs of Textiles (then Print and Pattern Design). In about 2003/4 Foundation moved to the Howard Gardens Campus and I remained to expand and support the new flourishing makers side, bringing onboard my already gained skills whilst still learning new ones. I have been lucky enough to work along side some of the kindest and most knowledgeable people and teams who were willing to pass on their knowledge to me.