Yesterday some bead-making friends from our small group the "Flaming Matildas" went to the 'Flame on Glass 2012" exhibition at Kirra Galleries, Federation Square, Melbourne. ( Last year's post is here )
This wonderful annual event (this is the 10th) showcases a lot of very talented Australian contemporary flameworking artists including those who work on the larger torches making larger sculptural pieces and also artists who use less powerful torches to make glass beads.
There were torches set up in the atrium outside Kirra Galleries... a wonderful shop which sells and promotes glass in Australia.
There are many items on sale by featured artists:
Christian Arnold, Barbara Ashbee, Sally Balfour, Susie Barnes, Wendy Bergamin, Jemma Clements, Richard Clements, Cas Davey, Pauline Delaney, Kristen Dibbs, Cindy Durant, Mark Eliott, Matthew Farrell, Sally Green, Marilyn Hayes, Terri Kraehe, Len McFadden, Carol Marando, Raymond Mifsud, Peter Minson, Anne Oberin, Helen Peake, Lisa Simmons, Alan Ussher, Kathryn Wardill and Laurie Young
I was taken by the wonderfully complex work by Richard Clements who was showing these "animals of unknown origin" The eyes in these weird and wonderful animals (to me they looked like prehistoric/ fantasy birds) were astonishing as was the depth and glimmer in the menacing beaks.... a bow and lots of almost old-fashioned-looking decoration gave them a slightly comical and 'granny'-like appearance and took away the danger factor from that delightfully confusing piece. I'm not too sure if I would like to come across one in real life though!
Pictured: - "Animal of Unknown Origin"by Richard Clements. ( photo from Kirra galleries )
Yes, that is a very powerful flameworking torch!
Kathryn Wardill working on a smaller torch and making a glass bead. Peter Minson (partially) is next to her. Coloured glass rods used for making beads are on the table.
This is a corner of the Federation Square complex.You either love it or hate it. Many Melbournites feel very strongly about it. Personally I love it, but I have always liked a juxtaposition of old and new together.
This is the iconic Flinders Street Railway Station on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne. Behind is the very tall Eureka Tower... the tallest building in Melbourne at 91 storeys above ground. In the foreground is one of Melbourne's trams.
If you wish to see some glass artists at the torch, they will be in the atrium of Federation Square, Melbourne over this weekend of the 8th and 9th of September 2012 from 11am to 5pm. Hope you can make it!
Have a great weekend,
7 comments:
Thanks for the review of that event Jenni, I'm heading into the city tomorrow to see the Mali elephants so might have to pop down to Fed Square too.
how interesting to see the artists at their work; love the first photograph especially, the animal of unknown origin
I'm with Carole, very interesting birdish piece.
I liked seeing Melbourne too, the old and new like all big cities I suppose.
Thanks for taking those of us who can't go on the tour! Love that animal, too!
Jenni, I can fully understand why the Federation Square complex elicits "strong response"... it is not designed to blend in, but rather to engage inhabitants. IMHO that is a hallmark of great architecture. Melbourne looks like an amazing place to live and work (or visit)!
Loved your action shots at the exhibition, too. That Clements piece is very kooky and humorous!
The bird is cool!!! :)))
Jenni, That bird is fantastic!! The exhibit looks like a lot of fun and the photos of the architecture makes me want to jump on the next plane for a visit!
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