Jo Kenny is a Whitby-based glass artist whose work is inspired by her lifelong connection to the sea. After graduating with a BA Honours in Glass and Ceramics from Sunderland University in 1986, she worked in studios in London and Leerdam (Netherlands) before settling on the North Yorkshire coast.
Her current series, What Lies Beneath, draws from childhood memories of exploring rockpools and was reignited during the quiet of the Covid lockdowns. Jo’s work invites curiosity, encouraging the viewer to touch, turn, and peer into each piece, discovering its hidden textures and details. “You can’t just leave them on the table to look pretty,” she says. “You need to handle them and look inside.”
To realise these intricate forms, Jo collaborates with Scottish glass cutter Gordon Taylor. Known for his technical precision, Gordon has adapted his practice to embrace the organic, fluid shapes Jo imagines. Together, they create sculptural pieces that evoke the mystery and joy of the shoreline.