Glass Invitational NZ

Some of the most spectacular glass art made in New Zealand over the past three years will be on show here at Lopdell House Gallery this summer.

Curated by Stephen Higginson and toured by Milford House Ltd, Glass Invitational NZ features works of international significance by New Zealand’s foremost glass artists and surveys the major achievements and innovations in the field.

“I love glass art because it’s essentially in the fourth dimension. You can see inside it; you get the inside space,” Higginson says. “It’s almost the ultimate sculpture material, really.”

The glass invitational was established six years ago as a survey exhibition of contemporary art glass made in New Zealand or by New Zealanders living overseas.

“First and foremost, because the quality of the work demanded it, New Zealand glass has become recognised as an international phenomenon,” Higginson says.
“Our glass has a completely different look to other glass. European glass has had to conform to tradition. We don't have that problem.
“We’ve been able to sit back at the end of the world and develop a style uniquely our own. There’s also been the influence of our Maori and Pacific culture,” he says.
“The quality of work done in New Zealand is recognised worldwide as extraordinary.”

Australia and New Zealand’s premiere glass award, the Ranamok Prize for Contemporary Glass, has been won by New Zealand artists for most of its 15-year history. The 2007 Ranamok Prize winner, Auckland artist Evelyn Dunstan, has works in the exhibition.

The glass invitational acts as a window into contemporary practice by giving glass artists the opportunity to present experimental work.
This stunning collection of glass features thirteen of the country’s top artists in the field – Ruth Allen, Galia Amsel, Stephen Bradbourne, Jim Dennison, Evelyn Dunstan, John Edgar, Sue Hawker, Luke Jacomb, Elizabeth McClure, Lyndsay Patterson, Emily Siddell, Elizabeth Thomson and Leanne Williams.

Image: Another Green World V (detail), Elizabeth Thomson. (Photo: Paul McCredie)

Event listed by LopdellHouseGallery

View their other events or contact promoter