Glass Art and Resin

GARRY NASH MEDIUM: GLASS BASED: AUCKLAND Garry Nash is one of the original pioneers in the field of glass art in New Zealand and a founding member of the studio art glass movement world-wide. He began working with glass in 1978 and in 1981 became a full-time artist at the iconic Sunbeam Glassworks in Ponsonby. Now working independently he continues to develop techniques which have evolved for him over time. Garry manipulates flowing molten glass using 16th century Venetian techniques and blows it in and 18th century English style. The result is a range of vessels characterised by rich fluctuations of colour, delicacy, and a paradoxical sense of malleability and fluidity.

STEPHEN BRADBOURNE MEDIUM: CERAMICS and GLASS BASED: AUCKLAND Stephen Bradbourne was born and grew up in West Auckland. After leaving school he attended Unitec and graduated with a Diploma in Craft Design -majoring in ceramics. After graduating Stephen was offered a job at Sunbeam Glassworks where he quickly found an affinity for glassblowing and soon became an efficient and highly skilled production blower. Over the next decade he maintained dual careers in both ceramics and hot glass successfully exhibiting work in both mediums. In 2005 Stephen left the Glassworks to focus on his own designs, specialising in intricate Italian glass techniques which include Murrine, Mosaic and Twisted Cane styles. Stephen has been the recipient of many awards winning both the Cavalier Bremworth Luminous Glass Award and the Molly Morpeth Canaday Glass Award in 2007. Stephen continues to exhibit widely in both solo and group shows and his work is included in many public and private collections in both New Zealand and internationally.

JULIE BAVERSTOCK MEDIUM: GLASS ART BASED: AUCKLAND Julie Baverstock was born and raised in Auckland. After marrying and having two children she moved overseas and lived in 6 different countries over a period of 23 years. While living mainly in the Pacific Islands she was able to attend art classes with tutors from all over the world. She returned to New Zealand in 1998 and began working full time, but after being made redundant in 2004 Julie decided to attend a glass casting course at Auckland’s Art Station, and she has been working with glass ever since. Julie gains inspiration from what she see’s everyday and is particularly drawn to the beauty the natural world provides, from the iconic ‘Taranaki Gate’ to roadside flowers and fallen apples. Julie has exhibited her work at Auckland’s Artstation, the Waiheke Art Gallery, Objectspace and many other local shows.

JENNY McLEOD MEDIUM: GLASS BASED: WESTERN HEIGHTS, WAITAKERE AUCKLAND Jenny McLeod is a practicing glass artist creating a variety of work including functional glassware, sculpture, garden art and work for exhibition. ‘Fusing’ is a technical term that describes the technique she uses to create her glasswork. Sheet glass is cut and layered in a kiln and taken to high temperatures where it melts together. During the firing, the molten glass sheets sink into designs hand drawn into sand, to take on the desired pattern. Metals are fused in between layers and most pieces undergo multiple firings. Current work made by Jenny is of mixed media, incorporating a variety of materials including concrete, pumice, copper, shells and a NZ native flax, Harakeke. “I enjoy working with all these materials, and am inspired by their natural qualities and unlimited possibilities”. Her Whitianga upbringing on a Coromandel Peninsula farm close to nature, is a constant reference point in her work. This, combined with the creative surroundings of living in multi-cultural Auckland where she works in a home-based studio, inspire Jenny in the making of indoor and outdoor works, creating artwork for a special environment, with Pacific inspiration, for a modern setting. Jenny McLeod is a full-time practicing artist and holds a Craft and Design Diploma with a distinction in Glass.

ROSELLE AMOORE MEDIUM: GLASS BASED: WAITAKERE, WEST AUCKLAND The natural environment informs the glass work of Roselle Amoore; “the bush, beaches and the ever changing colours of the sea and sky… of the Waitakere Ranges and Aotearoa…” She employs thin bands of coloured fused glass in hues such as blue, soft white, black, green, yellow. These, and the bubbles that punctuate these horizons, suggest a range of natural associations. Trained in the U.K in Art and Design, and with a background rich in use of colour and pattern from textile design, her foray into glass work in the last few years has been both taught and self-taught. When making her glass pieces she incorporates various different methods, including: casting, fusing, torch-work and slumping. When heating the glass at alternate temperatures, small air bubbles are trapped in the veins of colour; “just like a moment in time”. The unique aspect of each work and process is a compelling part of glass work for Roselle. “I love glass as a medium as you are never sure what the end result will be - there is a constant element of surprise and wonder”.

LOU PENDERGRAST-MATHIESON MEDIUM: GLASS BASED: AUCKLAND Lou Pendergrast-Mathieson combines her love of drawing and love of glass with her delicately etched glass art. Having glass casted for 12 years, graduating with a Bachelor of Design (Glass Major) in 1998, she has since developed a working method employing etching and carving. Inspired by the flora of New Zealand and the glass-work of the Art Deco era with its engraved floral embellishment, Louise explores two approaches coupled with fine polishing. She carves her botanical designs in her interiors and etches further motifs on the exteriors. Her high level of polish allows the exquisite transparency of glass and her interior designs to be revealed. An object to be held and looked at; the works also combine delicacy with solidity. Louise has exhibited in Australia, USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and NZ and continues to tutor in Cast Glass in Mairangi Bay.