Anthony Scala,
United Kingdom
Anthony is a glass artist whose sculptural practice explores the relationship between art, science and perception. Combining hot glass sculpting with precision cold-working techniques, he creates intricate optical glass sculptures that investigate the interaction of light, reflection and form. His work draws on concepts from theoretical physics, challenging the boundaries between physical reality and visual perception.
Curatorial Profile
Anthony’s artistic practice brings together the precision of traditional glassworking techniques and an intellectual engagement with the principles of physics and optical perception. Working at the intersection of art and science, he creates sculptural objects in which transparency, reflection and refraction become essential elements of the visual experience. His work invites viewers to reconsider the relationship between an object's physical structure and the images it produces.
Originally trained in Architectural Model Making, Anthony developed a strong foundation in precision, spatial understanding and technical craftsmanship. This background led to his interest in optical glass and cold-working techniques, which have become central to his artistic practice. Over more than two decades, he has refined an approach distinguished by meticulous attention to detail and a sophisticated understanding of the optical properties of glass.
His sculptures combine hot glass sculpting with precision cold-working techniques, allowing him to explore the passage of light through the material. Through carefully constructed forms and refined surfaces, Anthony creates complex visual effects in which reflections, distortions and shifting perspectives challenge the viewer's perception of depth and space. The interaction between the physical object and its optical appearance becomes a defining characteristic of his work.
Alongside his sculptural practice, Anthony has been actively involved in glass education, teaching both hot and cold glassworking techniques for nearly two decades. His experience as an educator reflects a sustained commitment to technical knowledge and the development of contemporary glassmaking.
Anthony's work occupies a distinctive position between scientific inquiry and sculptural expression. By exploring the optical possibilities of glass, he creates objects that extend beyond their physical boundaries, revealing the complex relationship between material, light and perception.
House of Glass Gallery
Artist Statement
Physics has long provided the inspiration and framework for my creative practice. I am drawn to theoretical concepts which attempt to describe our fixed reality as emergent, issuing from a state where our rules of order do not apply. Rather than illustrating scientific ideas through the language of mathematics, my sculptures provide a material space in which to encourage abstract thought through light, form and perception.
Selected Works
Coriolis II
Gold Annulum
Dark Matter
Amber Nexus
Amber Nexus
Amber Nexus
Bound State
Erratics
Amber Entangled
Amber Entangled
Grey Nexus
Auri
Coriolis
Orrery Scent Bottle
Echoes of Future Ghosts
Echoes of Future Ghosts
Particle
Particle