Canterbury Museum is the opening venue for Glass Invitational NZ, a survey of contemporary New Zealand glass art toured by Milford House Limited and curated by Stephen Higginson.

The 2008 exhibition features the work of thirteen leading glass artists including Luke Jacomb, Galia Amsel, Ruth Allen, Evelyn Dunstan and Sue Hawker.Canterbury Museum is the opening venue for Glass Invitational NZ, a survey of contemporary New Zealand glass art toured by Milford House Limited and curated by Stephen Higginson.

The 2008 exhibition features the work of thirteen leading glass artists including Luke Jacomb, Galia Amsel, Ruth Allen, Evelyn Dunstan and Sue Hawker.Many of the artists draw inspiration for their works from the New Zealand environment, both cultural and natural. Evelyn Dunstan's work focuses on flora or fauna and says that she aims to reflect her pride and share her passion for her country, with a strong emphasis on the 'new culture' that is emerging through contemporary New Zealand. In Glass Invitational NZ Evelyn's works feature the native clematis in Crowning Glory, and convolvulus in Conundrum #2.

Galia Amsel returns to Glass Invitational NZ with striking cast glass forms in hues of blue and green. Galia states that her initial inspiration derives from objects that are associated with use, whether mechanical, decorative or ritualistic. She translates the implied function of these objects into the work and the finished pieces evoke a sense of rhythm and movement, while still retaining resonance from the original forms.

The curator of the exhibition, Stephen Higginson, said that this presentation shows a substantial change is taking place in the nature of New Zealand glass. "It is no longer accurate to speak of the glass artist community being dominated by two modes, cast and hot glass, or that the vessel is the prevailing form" he said. "Significant achievement is emerging across varied usages and representational concerns are referencing matters of the human condition and place-specific politics."

Glass Invitational NZ is open in the Robert McDougall Gallery until 8 February 2009.
Hours are 10.00 am - 4.00 pm and admission is free.

Glass Invitational NZ
7 November - 8 February
Robert McDougall Gallery
Open 10.00 am - 4.00 pm

Artists

Ruth Allen
Jim Dennison & Leanne Williams
Luke Jacomb
Lyndsay Patterson
Elizabeth Thomson
Galia Amsel
Stephen Bradbourne
Evelyn Dunstan
John Edgar
Sue Hawker
Elizabeth McClure
Emily Siddell

Image: Galia Amsel's West Coast Surf 17 (2008), cast glass, sandblasted, acid etched & polished, size (v x h x d): 540 x 775 x 162 mm

06/11/08

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