Saturday 3 September 2011

New Zealand Glass Art a Wonderful Book

Last year to mark its thirtieth anniversary, the New Zealand Society of Artists in Glass published a major survey of current glass practice in New Zealand.  With 180 pages and a large number of beautiful colour photographs this is a magnificent introduction to the work of 115 of New Zealand's leading glass artists.  Each artist is given a full page spread, with some extending to two pages.  Edited for the Society by Evelyn Dunstan, there is an introductory essay by Grace Cochrane, and a short outline of the beginnings of studio glass in New Zealand by Stuart Park.  There is an introduction to the physics and chemistry of glass by one of the pioneers of glass in New Zealand, John Croucher, now a director of Gaffer Glass.  An illustrated guide to the technology and practice of studio glass describes the range of techniques from cold glass fabrication, warm glass working processes and the several ways of producing hot glass, flamework, glass-blowing, casting and neon.

 
Each artist has provided a short artist statement, with a selection of images of their current work.  Whilst I am naturally biased because of my involvement in this project, it is a book I heartily recommend.

Copies may be ordered through your bookseller, or from the New Zealand Society of Artists in Glass via their website http://www.nzsag.co.nz/glassbook.html. The publisher is David Bateman Ltd, Auckland NZ. ISBN-13 9781869537838 ISBN-10 1869537831