Vital was born near Antwerp, in Belgium. He was always drawing or
painting, winning prizes at school and making designs and posters for his
company during his national service. This passion never left him.
He came to England in 1982 as a young man seeing more of the world. Here
he met his partner Jules with whom he would share a life for the next
forty-one years. He studied History of Art and Fine Art at Brookes
University in Oxford, and it was in Oxford in 1990 that he opened his
first studio, becoming a full-time glass artist.
His studio became a regular feature for
Oxfordshire Artweeks for the next
thirty years where hundreds of visitors admired his work, as well as the
clients who called in to explore their commissions.
He ran popular classes sharing the techniques he had mastered for over
twenty years, launching some brilliant new careers.
Vital made leaded glass panels using the techniques of painting (using
oxides and enamels baked in the kiln), sandblasting and acid etching. He
developed his own techniques of kiln fused layers of glass to add texture
and facets to catch the light which he incorporated in the leaded panels.
His use of textures, vibrant colours and his flowing modern designs
became his hallmark.
His prolific work was commissioned by Oxford colleges, hospitals and
hospices, Oxford Town Hall, commercial bodies and many private houses.
These are now installed in Oxford, across the country, across Europe and
even further afield. He also made occasional free-hanging pieces, slumped
glass bowls and cast glass sculptures.
As both a skilled craftsman and a talented artist his work was unique.
He was the author of ‘Stained Glass: The Art of Crafts’ (Crowood Press)
and was one of twenty-five UK-based artists featured in ‘Fifty
Distinguished Contemporary Artists in Glass’ (The Intelligent Layman), an
international compendium.
He never stopped drawing, sketching and painting. He later took up stone
sculpture and clay modelling. This work is in many houses and
gardens.
Vital died in September 2023 of bowel cancer, aged sixty-three.
This website is designed to illustrate the creative legacy Vital left
behind of which he was so proud. It is hoped that it will inspire other
artists too. Explore the galleries:
For any questions or for further information please contact Vital’s
husband Jules Fletcher at
julian.jf6@gmail.com.