Peter Layton, the founder of London Glassblowing, continues to pursue his passion for glass art at the age of 89. Established in 1976, London Glassblowing is recognized as one of Europe’s longest-running hot glass studios and a leading gallery in the medium. Although Layton no longer spends all day at the furnace as he did in his early years, he remains committed to the craft and plans to continue working for as long as he is able.
London Glassblowing has played a significant role in shaping the contemporary glass art scene, having trained hundreds of artists who subsequently launched their own studios. Layton is now gradually handing over the business to his daughter Sophie and her husband Tim Rawlinson. Reflecting on the work, Layton describes it as a "labour of love," expressing his enduring fascination with the heat and unique qualities of glass.
Born in Prague in the 1930s, Layton and his family fled to Britain, settling in Bradford. Initially focused on pottery, he studied at Bradford Art College before obtaining a diploma at London’s Central School of Art and Design. His introduction to glassblowing came during a teaching stint at the University of Iowa in 1965. Despite a severe burn early on, he developed a lasting dedication to the medium. He refined his skills over a decade before establishing his first studio in the Scottish Highlands and later launching London Glassblowing in London.
The original studio was located in Rotherhithe on the River Thames, a setting that inspired some of the firm’s early work, including the “Flotsam and Jetsam” series, which drew on the river’s murky waters and oil slicks. The studio also developed a signature electric blue hue through "iridizing," a technique with roots in the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany. After 15 years, pressures from redevelopment by Southwark Council prompted a move to Bermondsey’s Leather Market. In 2009, facing rising rents, the company relocated again to a space with higher ceilings, better suited for managing the intense studio heat.
Layton’s wife, Ann, joined the business around the time of the last move, transitioning from her teaching career. She introduced systems that helped expand the company’s operations, which now employs a team of 20 and earns a turnover well over £1 million. However, the art form faces economic challenges. Rising energy costs have prompted the studio to reconsider traditional furnaces, exploring electric alternatives that can cost up to £50,000 each. Material costs have also increased significantly, with some colored glasses tripling in price.
During the hot summer months, the studio shuts its furnaces in July and August to manage temperature extremes that can reach 50 degrees Celsius. The studio produces primarily art glass rather than functional objects, resulting in unique pieces often priced between £220 and several thousand pounds for larger works.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, London Glassblowing invited 50 past students to exhibit their work. Among them is Elliot Walker, who spent eight years at the studio before winning a Netflix glassblowing competition. As the next generation takes on leadership roles, Layton remains actively engaged with the studio, emphasizing his desire for their work to enrich people’s lives and reach a broad audience.