Glass act

Issue 20 | Spring/Summer 2007

Report: Samantha Blair
Photography: Melissa Di Ciero and Greg Ford

It's an art form that requires a combination of agility, rhythm and teamwork; creating a work of transparent beauty from a viscous molten substance.

Monash University's Faculty of Art and Design has been training some of Australia's best glass blowers for more than a quarter of a century, many of them teaming up once they have graduated to share their skills.

Watching Melbourne glass blower Philip Stokes and his colleagues move as they create a piece of art glass is fascinating, almost hypnotic.

Their footwork is quick, concentration intense and knowledge of each other's next move uncanny.

Stokes (BA(CeramicDes)(Hons) 2000) works in perfect harmony with fellow glass blowers David Herbert (BA(CeramicDes) 1992) and Suzannah Terauds (BFA 2006) (pictured right with fellow alumni Kristin McFarlane and Beth Allen) .

While he uses a pole to constantly turn a huge glass structure to prevent it from dripping, another shapes, bends and cuts the glass, while the third carries the 30kg weight the short distance back to the reheating chamber. Once it is back at a high temperature, their elaborate dance begins again, in a process that often can take hours to complete.

"To be good at glass blowing you need to be fit and agile, have a good sense of timing and rhythm, and be able to pay attention to detail. Working together is essential," Stokes said.

"Originally I started to study drama and dance," said Stokes, "but decided an acting career wasn't for me - that's when I turned to glass blowing. It too requires creative expression and it can be very athletic work because you have to form the glass quickly and efficiently while it is hot and pliable."

Stokes operates his studio and gallery from the hauntingly beautiful heritage precinct of the Abbotsford Convent in inner Melbourne.

In the two years since it was established it has become a hub for glass blowers and has attracted another eight Monash Applied Arts degree graduates.

"It's wonderful to have so many alumni working together. It's a special connection because we all had similar learning experiences at university, albeit over different years," he said.

Monash has offered courses in glass art since the mid 1970s, making it the oldest tertiary art glass studio in Australia. It continues to run the only degree and postgraduate course in Victoria within the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Art and Design.

Nicholas Wirdnam (BA(Craft) 1991) is the glass studio coordinator with the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Art and Design, and has been with the University for 24 years.

"Our graduates are now considered to be among the best in Australia and their work is recognised around the world. It is wonderful to see graduates flourish and this makes my career very satisfying," he said.

Mr Wirdnam attributes the success to good lecturers and small classes.

"Students are given very individual attention and most importantly, time in the studio to develop their concepts and relationship with the material, in an environment that has strict safety standards," Mr Wirdnam said

The art glass studio uses 300kg of glass powder every week to meet demand and runs three kilns around the clock.

"The main furnace takes a fortnight to heat up to its optimum melting temperature of 1300 degrees Celsius and a fortnight to cool down, so we don't turn it off.

"It does cost a lot to run an art glass studio but it's what's required to create the art, but the costs are far outweighed by the satisfaction in knowing this work is being designed and created by Melbourne glass blowers, in a purpose-built studio which thrives on teamwork and a sense of community.

"It proves our dance has the right rhythm and our timing is perfect."

When he graduated and it was time to choose his partners for the dance of glass blowing, Stokes believed knowing a colleague's background and learning was vital.

"We're taking the Monash connection to new heights by building on our past education to create art for the future. That's artistic evolution and for us, we're achieving it as a team."

For further information about Philip Stokes Studio Glass, visit the website.