Mystique crafted by a glass balladeer
- Hamish is a third-generation glass sculptor
- His pieces are a way for him to connect with mystery and spirituality
- He uses glassblowing and glass engraving to make his works
For glass artist Hamish Donaldson, the fast-paced challenge of glassblowing is balanced by the slower and more methodical processes of engraving. Through these techniques he channels ideas of magic and mysticism gathered from his travels and studies. Hamish’s works reflect inner and unseen forces, forged by his time spent with indigenous tribes of Australia and throughout South America, as well as his exploration of temple art and ancient alchemical traditions. Although he has trained at renowned institutions, including Washington State’s Pilchuk School, Istanbul’s Glass Furnace and Adelaide’s JAM factory, glass artistry also runs deep in his family. At the studio in the Mornington Peninsula, Hamish works alongside his parents and his brother, who share his craft. This is where Hamish continues their legacy, creating new forms that sing of his wanderings.
Interview
- What draws you to glass?
- I love the mystery within glass, not to mention my affinity with fire. So much is possible with glass as a material, from opaque colours that make it look like stone, to bright, shining luminescent vessels.
- What are some surprising sources of inspiration for you?
- I am really passionate about indigenous knowledge and ways of seeing, which has helped open me to a more spiritual way of being. I enjoy the search for what is hidden behind existence and the mysteries embedded in it. In a time where we are so disconnected, I am interested in how humans can reconnect with the unseen and with themselves.
- How do you incorporate tradition and innovation in your work?
- I have been training as a glass blower predominantly, while also developing my engraving skills. I enjoy this mix of my ancestry from my parents who are glassblowers and from my grandparents who were glass engravers. I am working more and more with digital processes that allow sharper geometric nuances.
- What is your advice to a young glass artist?
- Buckle up! Glass sculpting can be a really demanding craft. So many things can go wrong with the demanding material that is glass. It takes a long time to be able to work with it. Repetition is the only way you can get there.
Hamish Donaldson is a rising star: he began his career in 2020
Where
Hamish Donaldson
