This bold new exploration of glass in the UK brings together for the very first time rarely seen works from key UK collections, celebrating this remarkable material – unforgiving, fragile, strong, sustainable.

The Glass Heart will make you think again about glass as we explore how it has illuminated and contained human narratives and ideas.

Beginning in the mid-19th century, and plotting key moments through the UK’s glassmaking history, glass is presented here as an experimental art form for today alongside work from those collections that have grown out of the heartlands of a historic industry.  Expressive and amorphic from the initial molten state of its formation, to the reflective and light-transmitting qualities of its final form, dazzling artworks here will shine a light on some of the now endangered traditions of working in glass.

Join us to celebrate makers who have pushed at the boundaries of this remarkably expressive medium.  Through 170 years of glassmaking, we’ll investigate the artistry, ingenuity and innovation needed to work with this challenging material and examine how glass-making skills in the UK have evolved to contain and express stories, from historic marvels to contemporary works finding new relevance today.

The Glass Heart is a Two Temple Place exhibition, produced in partnership with National Glass Centre Sunderland, the Stained Glass Museum, Ely and Stourbridge Glass Museum.