18 October - 5 November 2012
about the exhibition
The collaboratively designed and created glass forms of Benjamin Edols and Kathy Elliott involve both hot and cold glass making techniques. These sinuous and ethereal glass sculptures represent a stylisation of the natural world and, although not directly botanically inspired, relationships exist with the botanical forms of their previous work. The pieces continue to further explore the technical boundaries of carving glass – a renowned trait of their work – as well as exploring the notion of expression through line. Their exquisitely crafted abstract and organic inspired forms are often highly coloured with a luminous palette, featuring both low and high relief surface decoration. The remarkably fine surface markings provide a contrast in texture, accentuating the blown form, and entrap the light bringing the works to life. Benjamin and Kathy are both highly trained in traditional glass making techniques and their distinctive style is historically informed yet not bound by traditional approaches. Their extraordinary skills combined with a contemporary vision allows them to create works with a unique aesthetic and great beauty.
Benjamin Edols and Kathy Elliott both trained at the Canberra School of Art under the guidance of former 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, Queensland Art Gallery, Powerhouse Museum, Art Gallery of South Australia, Artbank, Museum of Arts and Design (New York), Corning Museum of Glass (New York), Victoria and Albert Museum (London), Glasmuseum Alter Hof Herding (Coesfeld Lette, Germany) and Toyama Art Museum (Japan).
