About Roger Tye

Roger graduated from Manchester Poly in 1975 with a BA(Hons) in 3D Design - Glass and Metal.

During the 80's he was chief maker for both Pauline Solven and Charlie Meaker until setting up Phoenix Hot Glass Studio in 1989.

Phoenix enjoyed a great deal of success for
16 years making small batch production runs
of Roger's designs for gift shops and craft galleries and specially commissioned corporate work for clients throughout the UK.  

In 2000, Roger was commissioned to create
a "fantastic plant feature" for Nature's World in Middlesbrough, but, due to problems on site
it could not be installed until 2003.
This led to a series of requests for other works
in the same vein.

In 2003, Roger took part in the Haiku and Glass touring exhibition. Glassmakers were teamed with poets from the British Haiku Society and
the glassmakers interpreted the poetry of their partner. The sculpture of flowing clear glass was purchased at the first exhibition and a later similar piece was given a BIDA Award for Excellence.

Phoenix closed in 2005 to allow Roger to concentrate his work on such sculptural, installation pieces. His work continues to be technically challenging as befits a craftsman
of his experience.

"Glassblowing is my passion. It is a process
that involves you completely both emotionally and physically. You try to control the glass but also have to learn from it. It is only when you have learned from the glass that you can
master it and this competence frees the
creative voice within you"