Trained in a multitude of craft techniques, Robs speciality is Verre Églomisé, which involves painstakingly painting a design and applying gold leaf onto the rear face of glass, now an at-risk heritage skill.Now Rob brings all of his experience and obsession together to create high-end pieces from the byUMBERTO studio, for exteriors, interiors, and collectors, and is increasingly exploring the creation of contemporary art pieces using traditional sign-writing methods.
The Good Life Experience.
13 September 2019
The Good Life Experience Festival invited Signs by Umberto to deliver a three day workshop on lettering and traditional sign writing techniques.
The general public subscribed to the workshops which lasted two hours each for ten people per session.
York Design Week.
25 October 2019
Signs by Umberto was asked to deliver a lecture on his craft of reverse glass gilding alongside Dixon Baxi for the inaugural York Design Week held at York St John University.
Reasons to be Cheerful.
28.09.21
Invited by Mark Shayler to contribute to Annual Two of Reasons To Be Cheerful, Umberto told the story of his beginnings with lettering.
Summer Camp.
10.07.2021
Two weeks ago I delivered my first solo talk at Autumn Camp Good Life @thegoodlifesoc on the @somegoodideas_ stage. - I told an honest, emotional account of my adult life and weaving my way through careers to becoming Umberto. - ‘I danced myself across the room’ became the metaphor, taken from Cosmic Dancer by the wonderful Mark Bolan. - The response from folks was just wonderful, it took me an hour to get away from the stage after the talk, due to questions and conversation from the audience who felt that the talk had similarities to their life.
The Good Life Society.
16.09.21
I delivered my first solo talk at Autumn Camp Good Life @thegoodlifesoc on the @somegoodideas_ stage. - I told an honest, emotional account of my adult life and weaving my way through careers to becoming Umberto. - ‘I danced myself across the room’ became the metaphor, taken from Cosmic Dancer by the wonderful Mark Bolan. - The response from folks was just wonderful, it took me an hour to get away from the stage after the talk, due to questions and conversation from the audience who felt that the talk had similarities to their life.
Beginnings with Studio.Build.
20.02.20
Signs by Umberto were invited by the creative network Wilson's Republic to deliver a lecture on the theme of Beginnings underpinned by studio output.Umberto delivered a lecture on the development of his business and craft alongside Studio.Build.
QEST.
15.11.21
Umberto has been awarded The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Award with generosity from Winch Design.
London Craft Week.
07.10.21
Umberto was invited to London Craft week under Winch's Wing with Winch Design. Umberto gave a gilding demonstration as well as exhibiting a range of Verre églomisé.