 Australian Galleries is delighted to present this extraordinary exhibition of sculptural and vessel forms in glass by the internationally acclaimed Australian artists: Clare Belfrage, Cobi Cockburn, Mel Douglas, Tim Edwards, Wendy Fairclough, Brian Hirst, Jessica Loughlin, Kirstie Rea, Tom Rowney and Richard Whiteley.
The National Director of Australian Galleries, Stuart Purves, invited distinguished Melbourne-based collector Sandy Benjamin to work with curator Caroline Field to create an exhibition which would pay homage to these leading artists, who for the first time are exhibiting together.
These artists are a combination of young emerging talent, mid career artists and established leaders in glass art. The uniting element is they have an impressive academic history, depth of knowledge, mentoring experience and are well recognised and collected internationally, some in the world’s foremost galleries and museums. As a result each of them has been called upon to teach, and to share their skills in Australia, the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom and Asia.
10 Contemporary Australian Artists: A glass act presents a diverse combination of vessel forms, wall pieces and sculpture, which have been specifically created for this exhibition. Each is a refined work of art displaying a wide variety of techniques in developing a unique sculptural language in glass.
The last 50 years has seen the elevation of glass as a new form of contemporary art. This exhibition is a selection from the work of Australian glass artists who are participants in the international studio glass movement. Within Australia our glass artists are not yet experiencing the same degree of artistic recognition and critical acclaim as they enjoy overseas, however these artists have chosen to live and develop their practice in Australia. At the same time they are highly respected and sought after in the United States, Europe and Japan, many of them being better known in these countries than at home.
Australian Galleries is a prestigious gallery representing Australian painters, printmakers and sculptors. An aim of this exhibition is to bring contemporary Australian glass to the attention of connoisseurs of fine art.
10 Contemporary Australian Artists: A glass act provides a significant opportunity for the public, art critics, curators and historians to engage in current debates concerning the artistic language of contemporary glass and its complexity, and to examine the work of key artists who have developed a strong affinity for the power and seductive beauty of this mysterious medium.
Sandy Benjamin
Caroline Field
Solo Exhibitions | 
