Colin Rennie

Colin Rennie is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sunderland within the Faculty of Education, Society and Creative Industries, specifically in the School of Media and Creative Industries. He runs the BA Hons Programme in glass and ceramics and has established himself as a significant figure in contemporary glass art and digital interface design.

Rennie's research interests span glass art, digital glass interface design, computational art, and the exploration of medieval color theory, particularly the work of Robert Grosseteste. His practice combines traditional glass techniques with cutting-edge digital technologies. His major projects include the 'Illuminating Colour' exhibition which explored Grosseteste's theories on light and color through collaboration with scientists and historians from Oxford and Durham Universities.

His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of art, technology and historical scientific concepts, with particular attention to glass as both material and medium for conceptual exploration. Rennie's work demonstrates how historical scientific theories can inform contemporary artistic practice, especially in the realm of glass art and digital fabrication.

Notable Awards and Recognition:

• His work is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum London collection
• His work is featured in the Ebletoft Glass Museum Denmark
• His work is included in the Hsin-Chu Municipal Glass Museum Taiwan collection
• His work appears in the Ernsting Stiftung Glasmuse collection

Rennie has developed significant expertise in hot glass techniques, Rhino 3D modeling, and waterjet cutting. His educational background includes a Master of Design from Edinburgh College of Art (1995-96) and a 1st Class BA Honours Degree from the same institution (1991-1995). He has taught at prestigious institutions including the University of Wolverhampton and the Musee atelier du Verre in France, in addition to his current position at Sunderland.