Glassblowing is a centuries-old technique used to make a variety of objects, from your everyday drinking glass to delicate sculptures. It’s the duality – of being ordinary and extraordinary; robust and fragile; practical and poetic – that gives glass its exquisite nature and makes it such an intriguing material to work with.
Studio founder, Alex explores the interplay between light and glass and how the ambient effects can transform a space. “I want to capture light within the glass without seeing the light source. By hiding the light source, the glass appears to self-illuminate,” Alex explains.
Our studio works with glass artists in Canberra and Sydney such as Annette Blair, drawing on their unique craftsmanship skills to showcase the brilliance of glass and light together. Due to the artistry of glassblowing and the fluidity of the raw material, each shade has its own organic beauty and becomes a functional yet delicate sculptural piece within an interior.
Handblown glass allows for an array of unique colours and finishes, including our distinctive crackle glass finish, which has an organic textural effect. Alex developed the first crackle glass shades in collaboration with Sydney-based glass artist Ben Edols, as they tested techniques to illuminate the shade by a hidden light source. The result is the Eon Sans Collection, a range of pendants with crackle glass shades that scatter light and shadow and create a dappled refraction.
The fragile and fractured appearance of the crackle glass belies its strength and the meticulous control of the distribution of light. The glassblowing process is a feat of incredible skill, particularly for larger pieces, and the organic crackling means no two pieces are ever the same.
The crackle finish is most beautiful on rounded forms, and creates dynamic, exquisite pieces that are practical and poetic in a space. The Greenway, Eon and Eon Sans are available with the fractured finish, as are custom designs, such as in the light installations at Sydney restaurant, Flying Fish.
Explore the collection of handblown glass lighting online. Or for custom designs, please get in touch with us on +61 (02) 9311 2712 or by email at Projects@adesignstudio.com.au