From a very young age, Charlie Burke has known of glass as an artistic medium, ever since his parents opened their studio which he grew up in. The studio, E&M Glass, opened in 1987. Even with his familiarity with hot glass, it wasn't it wasn't until he went to Sunderland University that he began to experiment and explore its properties. Originally studying Fine Art; it later seemed inevitable that he would transfer to the BA Glass and Ceramics course, from which he graduted with honours in 2010.
Charlie was also awarded the Charles Bray award for Glass Excellence. Since leaving Sunderland, he has worked in several studios around the UK demonstrating and teaching glassblowing to others; finally setting back at home with E&M Glass, around five years ago working with Ed, Margaret and his wife Amelia Skachill Burke creating their own bodies of glassware.
Charlie's main subject matter follows brain patterns and thought functions. The electricity of thought and the transference of information between pathways in the brain serves as an inspiration for the movement of the pieces.
In 2023, Charlie had a particuarly well received exhibition with the International Glass Festival in Luxemborg, with his work being welcomed by glass collectors across Europe.
