Meet the Maker: Brian Morgan of Jangling Space
“Glass has life in it. Light hits colour and texture to make something totally unique”
In our ‘Meet the Maker’ series, we plan to introduce you to some of the incredibly creative and inventive makers that Govanhill seems to be bursting with. First up, is Brian Morgan of Jangling Space. Originally published in Issue 1 of the print magazine.
Interview by Marzanna Antoniak
Brian Morgan is a stained glass artist, originally from Coatbridge. After spending some years in London and Brighton, he came ‘home’ to Scotland in 2014, swapping his council flat with someone in Govanhill. He has lived in the neighbourhood ever since. He runs Jangling Space, a co-operative makerspace based in Shawlands Arcade.
Portrait by Tom Barr at Kate Davies Designs
When and how did you start working with glass?
I started years ago by making mosaics. I’ve done quite a few pieces, and some are still in place all over the UK. From that, I moved into glass. They are similar in techniques – but with glass you bring light into play. I took a night class when I lived in Brighton and then forgot about it for a while.
When I moved to Glasgow/Govanhill, it was very important to me to begin something new in my life - I wanted to work with my hands. For many years I had been doing ‘head’ jobs – planning, organising, managing, endless talking, little doing. I pondered for a while what to do. In seeing all the stained glass around Glasgow, I remembered that I had these skills. So, I set a up a studio.
What glass objects do you create and what kind of techniques do you use?
I make mainly leaded glass (often used for windows) and copperfoiled (sometimes known as Tiffany, so lamps and other more delicate pieces). Though I have started to learn lots of techniques during lockdown to do with fusing glass, in kilns, where I can make bowls, plates, etc. Though, rather than the objects themselves being important, Jangling Space itself was set up to build social connection amongst people. People making things together is tremendously powerful for forging friendships and bonds – things that Glasgow lost when traditional skills and work were taken away.
Have you done any projects in Govanhill?
I am just completing a big project with Govanhill Housing Association. I have worked with some of their tenants to design and make their own bespoke pieces. The idea for this project came from when I lived in my first Govanhill flat in Coplaw Street. I had made a window for my stairwell ‘lightstealer’. It was an Islamic design, because I love the geometry of that. When I moved out, I gave it to my neighbour downstairs who had cleaned and swept the close – as a thank you. Being a Muslim woman, she loved the design and was overwhelmed when I installed it for her. The idea of having something so personal, beautiful and unique – the power of that was the catalyst for this project.
What is special about stained-glass for you?
Glass has life in it. Light hits colour and texture to make something totally unique that constantly changes. Stained glass is rather magical. Maybe that’s why it has always been used to tell stories in windows? It makes you look – really look!