Andrew Simpson - industrial designer | product engineer

At the heart of Andrew’s designs is a desire to create work that is beautiful to look at, use and hold. His interest in the human side of design and deep respect for the planet ensures his designs connect with people and diminish environmental impact.

He uses simple forms to bring pleasure to everyday objects and events; always finding new ways to create products that evoke feeling in his audience.  

Design motto: elegance not novelty

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Ben Edols - glass blower

Ben creates objects that people like to see in the world. He uses a variety of styles, from the simple to the sublime, to articulate the colours and light of glass and explore its many forms.

His love of the Venetian style of glass blowing and consideration for skill, craftsmanship, process and material is reflected in each detailed line and fluid accent of his work.

Artists Statement: Edols Elliott work within the traditions of the decorative arts and are concerned with issues of craftsmanship and skill. They make the objects we like to see in the world and are building a body of work that we hope will be coherent as it evolves over time. For Edols Elliott, glass in a medium for colour and light as well as an opportunity to explore design and they always look for ways to use these uplifting elements in ways that are original. 

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Kathy Elliott - visual artist

She is the queen of a complex style of glass blowing, known as cold working, whose work reflects the meticulous detail that goes into each stage of this involved process. Kathy’s designs are the result of layers upon layers of patience, dedication and precision folded into the mesmerising patterns of her technique. Her work goes through a dramatic metamorphosis of grinding, polishing, and etching to achieve its faultless satin-like finish.

Artists Statement: Edols Elliott work within the traditions of the decorative arts and are concerned with issues of craftsmanship and skill. They make the objects we like to see in the world and are building a body of work that we hope will be coherent as it evolves over time. For Edols Elliott, glass in a medium for colour and light as well as an opportunity to explore design and they always look for ways to use these uplifting elements in ways that are original.

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Simon Maberley - visual artist | glass sculptor

Simon Maberley is a Canberra based artist working predominantly with glass. He began his studies at Sydney College of the Arts in1993 and upon graduating in 1996, he traveled to New Zealand, Japan and the US, studying and working with a number of well-respected artists. He completed his Masters degree at Ohio State University in 2000 and returned to Australia later that year, setting up his own studio in Canberra 2004. His work is exhibited regularly both in Australia and the US, and represented in numerous private collections.

Simon is that artist whose work lies open to interpretation. For him, imagination is not solely an artist’s entitlement, but something that can be stirred in every one of us, and he seeks to achieve this through his sculptures. His greatest satisfaction comes from creating art that starts a conversation or implies a gesture, which can then be interpreted any number of ways by his audience.

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Oliver Smith - Silversmith & Designer

With a family background in jewellery and metalwork Oliver began his tertiary studies in the Jewellery & Object Studio at Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney, and completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts in 1995.

This was followed by a period of work experience - modelled on the traditional journeyman ship – during which Oliver worked for significant silversmiths and metalworkers in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Germany and England.

Returning to formal study in the Gold & Silversmithing Workshop at The Australian National University School of Art, Oliver gained First Class Honours in 2000, and a Master of Philosophy in 2003.

Artist statement
As a silversmith and designer, my passion is for making – I delight in creating beautiful functional objects that enrich people's lives. My form language is an expression of hammer forming. The best of craft and industry is my maxim.

Evolving from my knowledge of material and process, developed through silversmithing, I feel the broad spectrum of projects I undertake is my strength. To create work by hand, to design for manufacture, to collaborate, to teach and learn – all of these things are integral to my approach.

I currently combine a vigorous craft and design practice from my harbourside workshop with lecturing in the Jewellery & Object Studio at Sydney College of the Arts.

Robert Wynne-  Designer Glass Maker

Born in Yarram, Victoria, Robert Wynne studied Visual Arts at Monash University, majoring in ceramics, before going on to complete a Master’s degree in glass at California State University.  In 1991 he established his studio, Denizen Glass Design, in the beachside suburb of Manly where he produces a range of hand-blown glass including large, one-off sculptural pieces and artworks designed for specific locations.

Robert Wynne draws on a broad palette of traditional forms and techniques; exploring the use of different textures, materials and patterns. Surface treatments once used in production lines are deconstructed in Wynnes exhibition work, which both reflects and parodies traditional decorative devices, such as iridescence.  His work is part of numerous public and private collections in Australia and overseas, and he is regularly asked to participate in expositions around the world.

Hand-blown glass is very special. The creation of each piece is completely unique, the result of an extraordinarily choreographed dance between the artist and the molten glass at the other end of the blowpipe.

It is a wonderful, mysterious process coloured by drama, danger and dreams. The creation of each piece is extremely demanding and very physical requiring a high level of technical expertise and a “feel” for the material that only comes from years of experience.

Each piece of hand-blown glass represents an investment of years, of deeply rooted hopes and dreams, and a huge amount of skill. Each piece is an unrepeatable moment in time frozen in the gorgeous body of light and weight that only glass offers.

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