Denis Mann

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.

Early life and career Mann was born in Ballinluig, Perthshire, in 1935. He was educated at Breadalbane Academy in Aberfeldy and then at Edinburgh Art College. At the college Mann studied under Helen Monro Turner (wife of glass chemist W. E. S. Turner). Mann particularly specialised in copper wheel engraving, a now rarely used technique that allows the engraving of delicate shapes in glass. In recent times Mann has used former Scottish National Party MSP Gail Ross as a muse and model for the work, she donates her fee to charity. In recognition of his work on the programme Mastermind presenter Magnus Magnusson presented Mann with a signed limited edition print of the show's iconic chair, on its 25th anniversary.

Later life After leaving Caithness Glass Mann established his own studio on the Caithness coast, whose landscape would inspire some of his work. He uses a lathe that used to belong to Helen Turner. Mann has produced pieces for Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Elizabeth II, the BBC programme One Man and His Dog and Compaq. In 2010 he exhibited Discord, an engraved glass panel depicting two hands above a piano keyboard about to play a dischord, at the Turner Museum of Glass in Sheffield.

Mann is now semi-retired and lives in Wick.