A world first in New Zealand art

Snail Plant by Mundy Hepburn

Diary note / Media release

18th October 2012

A world first in New Zealand art

One of the world’s leading luminous glass artists will be taking part in New Zealand’s first ever collaborative luminous glass exhibition.

United States artist Mundy Hepburn will join eleven New Zealand luminous glass artists in the Electric Glass exhibition, which will be held at the TSB Wallace Arts Centre in the Pah Road Homestead from 30 October to 9 December. It will be Mr Hepburn’s first ever New Zealand exhibition.

Luminous glass artworks are electrically lit using neon and plasma technologies. Although luminous glass art is well-established overseas, it is a relatively new field in this country.

Electric Glass will involve artists from a range of disciplines, including sculptors, glass blowers, scientific glassworkers and traditional neon benders. They will showcase their skills with the aim of challenging the perception and use of neon and plasma technologies.

Electric Glass exhibitor Garry Nash says New Zealand artists have only recently gained access to technology that enables them to make very large pieces so the luminous glass art movement is still in its infancy here.

“It’s an exciting time in this field and New Zealand’s leading luminous glass artists have joined forces in the hope that the exhibition will raise public awareness and appreciation of this medium, and attract other artists to give it a try,” he says.

The luminous glass studio art movement arose in the United States in the late twentieth century following concern that commercial neon and plasma glass making skills were being lost as manufacturing processes increasingly became mechanised.

Luminous glass is an exciting art form that appeals to everyone from the very young to the very old: “People love it because it’s bright, kinetic, attractive and dynamic. Unlike most other types of glass art, luminous glass can also be interactive.”

Artworks can range from small pieces designed for use in domestic settings, through to huge installations designed for commercial buildings or public spaces.
“Luminous glass presents a wide range of new artistic opportunities, particularly for domestic usage, because technological advancements mean that modern luminous glass materials will last decades and are also energy efficient,” says Garry Nash.

ELECTRIC GLASS – DIARY NOTE

30 October 2012 to 9 December 2012

Exhibitors:

Mundy Hepburn (USA), Lyonel Grant,

Paul Hartigan, Sean Kerr, Gregor Kregar,

Dave McCracken, Alistair Mead, Garry Nash, Anton Parsons, Mark Schafer, Mike Wadsworth and Claire Bell.

Location:

“The Master Bedroom”

TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre The Pah Homestead 72 Hillsborough Rd

Hillsborough, Auckland.

Hours:

Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 3 pm.

Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. CLOSED on Mondays.

ENDS

© Scoop Media