Artistic Director Aimee Frodsham has announced Canberra Glassworks’ 2025 program in a year set to celebrate the finest in contemporary art, craft, and design through studio glass.
“Next year’s program brings together a series of exciting exhibitions, artist residencies, events, and workshops all designed to highlight the creativity and skill at the heart of this facility. Most importantly we will welcome back all the local, national and international glass makers who utilise this facility to make their work,” said Frodsham.
The exhibitions will feature both established and emerging voices, starting with History: The Paraphernalia of My Interior Life by Sydney based designer Martyn Thompson. Known worldwide for his photography and textiles, Martyn brings a nostalgic approach, transforming everyday objects and ceramics into beautifully crafted glassworks that blur the line between past and present.
With a strong focus on design, the exceptional glass maker Katie-Ann Houghton and industrial designer Tom Fereday will bring their perspectives on glass and design. Katie-Ann’s fusion of Japanese and Italian glass techniques and Tom’s minimal, honest approach to materials will be exhibited together.
Later in the year, in partnership with the Canberra International Music Festival, Glassworks will host the performance work Shock Lines, created by Caitlin Dubler, Nikki Johnston and Natasha Dubler – which combines sound and glass, inviting audiences to experience the material in a different way.
Glassworks continues to support First Nations artists to work in glass. Walgalu/Wiradjuri artist, Aidan Hartshorn will present a solo exhibition of a new body of work to be created as part of a mentoring program supported by artsACT through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts Program.
Artist and designer, Will Lynes will be working with hand poured silver mirror to make contemporary artworks while emerging artist Bronte Cormican-Jones explores the physical interaction with industrial glass in everyday and gallery contexts.
The final exhibition of the year will feature renowned Adelaide based artist, Gabriella Bisetto, whose poetic sculptures explore life’s fragility through breath and glass, giving form to the invisible forces that connect us all.
Throughout 2025 Glassworks will collaborate with Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre in Alice Springs to translate their iconic Hermannsburg watercolour tradition into glass. This partnership will see exhibitions presented in Tasmania, South Australia and Canberra. This is an 18-month project of workshops, skills development, creative and cultural exchange supported by the Indigenous Languages and Arts fund.
In addition to the exhibitions, Glassworks will host artist talks, hands-on workshops, and events that offer deeper insights into each artist’s journey.
For more information about the Canberra Glassworks’ 2025 program, visit: www.canberraglassworks.com for details.
Image: Martyn Thompson, History: The Paraphernalia of My Interior Life, 2024 – courtesy of the artist