A year's study at the University of Wolverhampton,in the UK helped seal his determination to make glass his life's pursuit. It was there he discovered the true mystery and fascination of the art.
Guan said, "I can see what a glass piece will look like before I make it. Sometimes the completed work is totally out of expectation. Sometimes it's even better than the way I had visualized it. Glass making is a breathtaking and exciting experience. You may discover a new technique accidentally.To me it is the most valuable and encouraging thing."
In this workshop classroom in one of the country's most distinguished universities, tomorrow's glass masters are polishing their skills.
We are fortunate to have filmed their first ever stained glass session. The art form made its entrances as great churches began appearing approximately in the 10th Century.
As a tutor to the glass majors, Guan's responsibility is to introduce various glass making techniques. There's skill at blowing and kiln casting. He says the facility is lucky to have sponsorship and support from Tsinghua University. Large amounts of the world's most advanced glass making equipment has been installed in the studio. The studio is just a beginning to establish education in glass art in China. Guan has a much bigger plan.
Guan said, "It's rare to see Chinese glass artists on the international scene. So the overseas glass critics and collectors have strong interest in Chinese glass art. A Chinese glass artist who has ingenious creativity and the sense of his nationality will be warmly welcomed. It is exactly the pursuit in my career. Meanwhile I want to bring up a group of young talented artists, like my students. They are innovative and they keep polishing their works to maturity. I would like to promote them as a team and arrange exhibitions for them abroad. Then the international glass art community will really see the development of contemporary Chinese glass art."
