Homo Faber logo
Kingston, Australia

Hannah Gason

Glass sculptor

Light and reflections caught in glass

  • Hannah creates glass tiles that slot together like a puzzle
  • She grew up mesmerised by the projected colours of stained glass windows
  • Light is an important aspect of her practice

Hannah Gason’s ephemeral artworks come together in an installation of light, glass and space. "Residencies around the world have allowed me to experiment and develop my skills while collaborating and connecting with glass makers," she says. In 2014, Hannah travelled to Bullseye Glass Co. in Portland in USA, where she first learned the process of glass compression. Now based in Canberra, Hannah starts her process by drawing out patterns and shapes in her sketchbook. Then, she squashes glass in the kiln and arranges the glass pieces with another kiln shelf on top of the glass, weighing it down with bricks. She later heats the glass on high temperatures, which completely compresses the glass. Here, the lines blur to capture the gradient in the glass for thin, delicate pieces, presented in installations that cover windows and add filters to catch reflections and light travelling through the glass artworks.


Interview

©Pew Pew Studio
©Pew Pew Studio
When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
I have had a creative interest since I was a child, I was always using my hands and materials to make something. So when I got older, I thought I should give myself a chance in the world of art. I was so happy once I allowed myself to do that – I realised that I was unstoppable.
How did you discover glass?
After I moved to Canberra, I found the Canberra Glassworks and started doing a lot of weekend and night courses. It started off as a hobby I practised alongside my main work. Later, it became something I was doing more and more often, any chance I had.
What do you love about glass?
I see so many possibilities with glass. It comes in so many forms, and you can do so much with it. I admire its ability to be transparent, but also opaque. It can be rough, but also smooth. It is a complex material. I am always learning, and there is a lot to it, but it is quite magical when it works out.
Where did the idea for your glass tiles come from?
I am drawn to fragmented images and compositions made up of smaller parts. I am interested in windows and the act of looking through something. I frequently make works that suggest a viewpoint into another space.
Hannah Gason is a master artisan: she began her career in 2008 and she started teaching in 2015

Where


Hannah Gason

Address: 11 Wentworth Avenue, 2604, Kingston, Australia
Hours: By appointment only
Languages: English
Homo Faber
Receive inspiring craft discoveries
Presented by
Terms of useCookiesCopyrightsPrivacy policyContact info