Profiles for Homo Faber Guide by Michelangelo Foundation For Creativity & Craftsmanship

Hannah Gason, Glass sculptor in Kingston, Australia, presented by Homo Faber

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 th...

Simone Fraser, Ceramicist in Woolwich, Australia, presented by Homo Faber

Simone Fraser has been practising ceramics since the early 1980s and has developed a unique style for her vessels. "To me, ceramics and the dry glaze process are inspired by life in the Australian landscape and its colour palette," she says. Simone begins her crafting process by coil throwing, before turning to a combination of hand building and wheelwork, where she shows the softness and malleability of clay. She dries the surface of her creations with a gas burner, and then layers the work wit...

Tom Moore, Glassblower in North Plympton, Australia, presented by Homo Faber

Tom Moore is a glassblower who has a cast of quirky glass characters, each with their own personalities, based on his own design drawings. He carefully plans out his sculptures, inspired by nature, historical glass objects and other things he sees and feels. “I hope to capture the transformation of nature and human relationships – not in a way that objectifies nature, but in an attempt to subjectify glass,” Tom says. Sticking closely to his eccentric design drawings, he prepares the patterned an...

Alexandra Hirst, Glass sculptor in Adelaide, Australia, presented by Homo Faber

To create her glass sculptures, Alexandra Hirst first starts with the hot, physical process of glassblowing, then turns to the cooler, meditative process of carving. "My sculptures tell their own stories of landscapes and human emotion," she says. Alexandra uses traditional glassblowing methods and incorporates a modern approach through innovative techniques, such as 3D printing and casting. She works from the JamFactory in Adelaide, where the fast-paced nature of the studio has allowed her to f...

Emeirely Nucifora-Ryan, Glass sculptor in Mitchell, Australia, presented by Homo Faber

Working with neon and glass, Emeirely Nucifora-Ryan’s practice is shaped by reflecting and refracting light. She first discovered glass in 2012 in a workshop at ANU School of Art and Design and continues to be inspired by watching hot glass turn from molten to solid within moments. After working with mentors, she found herself intrigued by neon glassworks, as they are recyclable and consume less power as they run at a cooler temperature. "Neon is entirely made by hand, which emphasises the manua...

Annette Blair, Glassblower in Burra, Australia, presented by Homo Faber

In her glasswork, Annette Blair interprets nostalgic connections, inspired by life, people and time, whether through small-scale artworks, large public installations, homeware or lighting. She refines her technical process both at her home studio in Burra, and at the Canberra Glassworks gallery. Annette has been practising glassblowing since 2005, which has allowed her to explore a myriad of processes and concepts. A recent accolade she received is a commission for the Australian War Memorial in...