Glass is enticing; it draws me in. Handling it and being able to control it is very seductive. I look for something that is pleasing to the eye and is restful. Alternatively, I create works that are clean and sharp; a piece you can appreciate it for its technical excellence.
I became obsessed with glass art after going to an exhibition in the United States almost 20 years ago. Since then I have pursued both my career as a plastic surgeon and my passion as a glass blower. I'm a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and I guess over the years my practice has evolved from being a very general plastic surgery into more and more specifically hand surgery.
I have a passion for hands. The hand is the most wonderful structure the way it is put together. The whole of the upper limit is designed to put your fingertips where they are meant to be and if something is not right at any level then you've got a problem. It is fascinating be able to sit down and operate a hand and to understand and look at its subtleties and the way disease, and trauma and injury can affect it.
In plastic surgery we are interested in artistic shapes and form and aesthetics is very important. The two have many synergies, both disciplines have a scientific basis and background and it is helpful of course to have that under control to allow things to develop. Attention to detail is important in both areas. There's obviously an artistic and a creative element which relates to the glass but also in plastic surgery you have to be able to think outside the square and think a little bit laterally for reconstructive problems.
There are no other glass blowers that do surgery. I'm a little eccentric, I'm a bit off the norm, not quite a square peg in a round hole.
My interests remain largely in hot glass, especially cane forms and sculpture. I enjoy using vibrant colour emphasising translucency, reflectivity, and form to present objects which are strong yet still reflect the fragility of glass. Much of my work has concentrated on developing anatomic forms in hot glass, with the more recent development of abstract forms exploring glass optics.
EDUCATION
1979: FRACS (Plastic Surgery)
1971: M.B.,B.S., University of Adelaide
EXPERIENCE / WORKSHOPS
2009: Dante Marioni workshop, blown glass, Jam Factory Adelaide
2007: Access Tenant, Jam Factory / Adelaide
Pilchuck Glass School USA –
Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen – Glass Sculpture Workshop
May 28th – June 8th
2006: Access Tenant, Jam Factory / Adelaide
Demonstration Workshop, Lino Tagliapietra, Jam Factory / Adelaide
2005: Access Tenant, Jam Factory / Adelaide
GAS Conference / Adelaide – organizing committee
2004: Access Tenant, Jam Factory / Adelaide
2003: Access Tenant, Jam Factory / Adelaide
Hot Glass Demonstration, Karen Willenbrink / Adelaide
IPRAS Surgeons as Artists Exhibition / Sydney
Hot Glass Sculpture Workshop, Pino Signoretto, Venice / Italy
2002: Hot Glass Workshop, with Hiroshi Yamano, Jam Factory Glass Studio / Adelaide
Hot Glass Workshop - Cane Forms, with Tom Rowney, Canberra School of Art / Canberra
2001: Hot Glass Sculpture Workshop, with Martin Blank, Ausglass Conference Workshop, Monash University / Melbourne
1999: Various Studio visits, Murrano / Italy
1998: Hot Glass - Cane & Murrini Workshop, with B. Jane Cowie, Eumundi Workshop / Queensland
1997: Glass Blowing Demonstration, with Ruth King and Katherine Gray, Jam Factory Glass Studio / Adelaide
1996: Glass Blowing Demonstration, with Lino Tagiapietra, Dante Marioni and Ben Edols, Jam Factory Glass Studio / Adelaide
1995: Lampwork and Beads, with Richard Clements and Bernie Stoner, Ausglass Conference Workshop / Adelaide
1994 - 1999: Glass Blowing Tutors, Miles Johnson, Sophie Emmett and Hilary Crawford / Adelaide
1999 - 2005: Glass Blowing Tutors/Assistants, Jane Cowie, and Mel Fraser
2003 - 2008: Glass Blowing Tutor/Assistant, Mel Fraser
EXHIBITIONS – Major
2009 “Alchemy & Altered States”, hot glass sculpture Studio J2 with artist Jo Twartz November 6th – 8th.
“Mixed Inspirations”, Artistic License Gallery Adelaide,28th May – 12th June
Art Images, selected works, Adelaide Airport, September- November
2008 “Glass Sculpture”, Art Images Gallery Adelaide, with artists Eliza Piro & Craig Penny, 2nd May – 26th May
“Fallen Angels and Flying Fish”, Studio J2, Adelaide with artist Jo Twartz, November15-22nd.
2007: “Figure, form and fabric”, Studio J2/ Adelaide with artists Jo Twartz & Cheryl Bridgart, 26th October – 2nd November
2006: “Mood Indigo”
Hot Glass Sculpture, Studio J² / Adelaide with artist Jo Twartz,
4th – 11th November
2005: Hot Glass Sculpture, Studio J² / Adelaide with artist Jo Twartz,
5th – 12th November
2005: “Hot Glass Sculpture”, Urban Cow Studio / Adelaide
1st – 28th May
EXHIBITIONS – Group
2009 Scotch College Art Show, 21st – 24th May
2008 Sculpturing Norwood with City of Norwood Payneham &St Peters Council, October 10-31st
2006: “Ode to The Blues” – Glass Artists Gallery / Glebe, Sydney
26th September – 15th October
Sculpturing Norwood, Art Images Gallery in association with City of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters, 27th September – 23rd October /Adelaide
2005: “Southern Lights”, Ausglass Members Exhibition, 4th – 9th May / Adelaide
2004: Sculpturing Norwood, Art Images Gallery in association with City of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters, 15th October – 8th November / Adelaide
2003: Surgeons as Artists Exhibition, International Plastic Surgery Congress (IPRAS) / Sydney
Ausglass Members Exhibition / Perth
2002: Surgeons as Artists Exhibition, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress / Adelaide
2001: Ausglass Members Exhibition / Melbourne
1999: The Glass Walk, Ausglass / Adelaide
CURRENT ACTIVITY
Hot Glass - blown forms and cane work sculpture
Studio Access to Jam Factory Glass Workshop / Adelaide
Urban Cow Gallery / Shop
Glass Plus Gallery / Melbourne
Art Images Gallery
Greenhill Gallery / Adelaide
Glass Artists Gallery / Glebe, Sydney
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Current Director, Sach Day Surgery (Plastic, Reconstructive & Hand Surgery)
Senior Visiting Plastic Surgeon, Royal Adelaide Hospital
Emeritus Visiting Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Modbury Public Hospital
2001- 2005 Chairman, Australian Day Surgery Council
1998-2001 Councilor, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
1995-1997 President, Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
