Glen Farrelly - ARCA

BIO

Glen trained at the renowned Camberwell College of Arts, studying for a BA

(Hons) Fine Arts degree in ceramics. He then went on to teach Art at one of the top

independent schools in London, where he was Head of Art.

After 20 years of teaching, he moved to California, where he was exposed to devastating

wildfires that almost destroyed his home. Later, when the fires had been declared safe, he

returned home and walked the fire ravaged sites collecting remnants of scorched

and discarded wood.

Changing artistic direction and materials Glen began carving and sculpting the burnt

wood, uncovering its beauty, showing its story, and reassembling to find its future worth. 

Glen’s work has been displayed in exhibitions throughout the world and he

is currently showing his work across the UK at various sculpture parks and galleries.

Now living in North Wales, he has been accepted as an associate member of the RCA in

Conwy. Glen continues to work with reclaimed and storm fallen timber using an ancient

Japanese technique called Yakisugi. This method preserves the wood – Yaki means to

heat with fire, and sugi is cypress. By slightly charring the surface of the wood without

combusting the whole piece, the wood becomes water resistant through carbonisation and

is thus more durable. It also protects against insects, as well as making the wood fire

retardant. All of Glen’s work is reclaimed and sustainable.