5 - 24 November 2009
about the exhibition
The collaboratively designed and created glass forms of Benjamin Edols and Kathy Elliott involve a two-stage process of hot and cold glass techniques. Benjamin blows the glass into the desired shape in the ‘hot’ stages of production, while Kathy applies the ‘cold’ finishing processes of polishing and grinding. Ben and Kathy’s sinuous and ethereal glass sculptures are inspired by close observation of the natural world, in particular their response to the shapes, textures, colours and fluidity of leaves, seed pods, blades of grass and succulent fruit. Their exquisitely crafted abstract and organic forms are often highly coloured, featuring low and high relief surface decoration, and are beautifully brought to life via the play of light. The leaf forms in particular suggest a biological accuracy with delicate linear patterning akin to microscopic capillary systems.This exhibition of recent work features a diverse range of forms creating a unique garden-like installation.
Benjamin Edols and Kathy Elliott both trained at the Canberra School of Art under the guidance of glass workshop head, Klaus Moje. They have been working in partnership since their first joint exhibition at DeVera Gallery, San Francisco, USA in 1993 and have since built outstanding national and international reputations. They have been regular finalists in the Ranamok Glass Prize and their work receives significant exposure overseas, with gallery representation in New Zealand, America, and Germany. Benjamin Edols and Kathy Elliott’s studio glass is represented in many major collections including the National Gallery of Australia; National Gallery of Victoria; Wagga Wagga National Glass Collection, NSW; Queensland Art Gallery; Powerhouse Museum; Art Gallery of South Australia; Artbank; American Glass Museum (New Jersey, USA); Corning Museum of Glass (New York, USA); Victoria and Albert Museum (London, UK); Glasmuseum Alter Hof Herding (Coesfeld Lette, Germany); and Toyama Art Museum, Japan.
