Denis Mann
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Denis Mann (born 1935) is a Scottish glass artist. He studied under Helen Monro Turner at the Edinburgh Art College where he learnt the copper wheel engraving technique, which he used in his later career. After a short stint as an art teacher, including during National Service with the Royal Air Force, Mann became a professional artist. Mann sent several pieces of work to Caithness Glass, ahead of accepting a job there as engraver and designer, and these were spotted by Bill Wright, creator and producer of upcoming BBC game show Mastermind. Wright asked Mann to produce the trophies for the show. The first of these was presented in 1972 and Mann went on to produce them for each subsequent series. He is now semi-retired.
Mann was born in Ballinluig, Perthshire, in 1935.[1][2] He was educated at Breadalbane Academy in Aberfeldy and then at Edinburgh Art College.[3] At the college Mann studied under Helen Monro Turner (wife of glass chemist W. E. S. Turner).[4] Mann particularly specialised in copper wheel engraving, a now rarely used technique that allows the engraving of delicate shapes in glass.[1] He notes "it is such a beautiful technique. There is also the pleasure of knowing that I am continuing such an ancient tradition".[2]
Mann then trained as a teacher and taught art in Stirlingshire.[3] Called up for National Service Mann served as an art teacher with the Royal Air Force.[1][3] He was deployed to the Aden Protectorate which he described as a culture shock that "re-awoke the urge to draw anything and everything".[2] In his early 30s he became disillusioned with teaching and sought employment as an artist.[1] He moved to Wick, Caithness, in 1970, by which time he was married to Trudi, an assistant archivist.[3]