This is the fifth annual exhibition at The Gallery at Parndon Mill devoted to works of art in glass. This series of exhibitions has proved to be very successful, glass being one of the most popular materials for creating artwork. The translucency, colour and sheer beauty cannot fail to appeal.

As the reputation of the Glasshaus exhibitions grows, more distinguished artists and innovative newcomers have been attracted to showing their work in The Gallery. Last year's Glasshaus IV was described as one of the best glass exhibitions to be seen outside London.

Taking part once again this year are members of The London Glassblowing Workshop. Peter Layton's London Glassblowing is a hot glass studio focused on the creation and display of contemporary glass art. The studio has a reputation as one of Europe's leading glass making workshops with a particular flair for the use of colour, form and texture. The members exhibiting in Glasshaus V are Peter Layton, Layne Rowe, and Louis Thompson.

Familiar to frequent visitors to The Gallery are two glass artists who occupy studios in the mill, Karen Murphy and Ewa Wawrzyniak. Both produce fused glass and cast glass sculpture. The technique of sand casting offers the artist an immediate, fast, free method of working with glass. It involves pouring hot glass into a mould made out of special, damp casting sand, requiring a significant physical and energetic involvement of the creator. These artists also make fused glass wall panels and dishes sometimes combining clear and dichroic glass, or adding precious metals and coloured frits.

An artist whose work was very popular in last year's show and is exhibiting again is Heike Brachlow "My colour palette consists of subtle tones of polychromatic colours, colours which change in different types of light. Most of my work reflects my attraction to movement and the idea of transformation. The work exhibited here started out as colour tests, then transformed into puzzle-type elements which have endless possibilities to be given a specific form or arrangement. And when the form is fixed, the piece will still change, depending on the light".

Another artist who has exhibited before at The Gallery is Cathryn Shilling. Cathryn recently made a career change from graphic design to glass making. "For me glass is the perfect medium, giving me creative and technical freedom and enabling me to produce something tactile, tangible and enduring".

Several of the exhibitors will be showing their work in The Gallery for the first time:

Thomas Petit "I draw upon many influences, in the creation of my glassware, from the broad spectrum of the Arts, my own photography, to everyday objects & experiences. When I set out to design a new range, I usually have a set of colour combinations in mind. I often try to visualise what they will look like in my head, and jot down notes, about possible colours & techniques. Unfortunately, ideas that worked in your brain, or on paper, often look considerably different in the glass medium; So, I will try some of these ideas out, and keep altering it, until, I get the desired effect. Sometimes, it is the happy accidents that spark off the best idea."

Sarah Brown has recently graduated from The University of Hertfordshire with a First in Applied Arts. She specialises in contemporary glass and enjoys pushing the boundaries within the material and trying to answer the question ‘why use glass?’. "My work evolves from photographs and drawings produced whilst out and about, mainly in London. Everyday people and their actions whilst interacting with their urban environment and others nearby have been a real inspiration. The ‘ignored’ people are especially of great interest to me."

Jon Lewis has worked in selected colleges in England and also in various glass studios in the USA. He has run his own stained glass studio in London and has exhibited worldwide. In 2010 he co-founded Flux Glass Design, hot glass studio. From blown glass pieces to architectural installations, his work has evolved a unique vision, a fusion of beauty and uniqueness.

Glasshaus V is an another exciting exhibition of works of art in glass.