ICONIC work from a glass student has secured one of the most internationally acclaimed glass honours, the Stanislav Libenský award.

Despite hearing about the award just a week before the deadline, Tami Ishida, an MA glass student from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), fought off stiff competition from artists in more than 23 countries, impressing an international panel of distinguished glass experts.

The only of its kind to allow new graduates to submit work, the Stanislav Libenský awards declared Japanese freelance artist Tami the overall winner for 2015, based on her final MA work entitled ‘Cups’.

Tami’s Cups is inspired by the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, and features a series of seven small cups made of blown, cut and polished glass. The judges said that her work is ‘characterised by perfect technique and original colourfulness’.

Tami, who is from Okayama in Japan, said: “In Japan, the tea ceremony is a tradition that has a deep spiritual resonance. It symbolises peace, comfort and hospitality and also the significance of beauty within simplicity. The cups I’ve created draw on this ancient imagery and the intangible qualities they represent.”

Interested in British contemporary crafts and art education, Tami came to the UK to further her work as a freelance artist and expand her creativity. She finds inspiration in British history and culture, spending time in museums and galleries.

Tami continued: “One of the most interesting things I’ve learnt on my MA is discovering the difference between the techniques, materials and trends used in the UK and Japan. Many Japanese artists stay and practice in Japan, but with my experience at UCA and this award, my ambition is to travel and practice in other parts of the world.”

Currently focusing on glass blowing when creating new pieces, Tami is keen to discover new techniques and materials for new projects whilst continuing her work as a freelance artist.