Glass Art

Late in 2000 Warlayirti Artists began working in Bullseye coloured glass following the construction of an on-site glass studio.  This was an exciting innovation in Indigenous art as Warlayirti Artists is the first Indigenous art centre to work in kiln-formed (fused) coloured glass.  The response from the artists and the market has been very encouraging.

 

In early 2003 Warlayirti Artists was successful in securing funding from The Myer Foundation to support the Warlayirti Glass Workshop Program over 3 years.  This funding has allowed Warlayirti Artists to engage glass artists/technicians to facilitate on-site glass workshops for artist skill development in this medium.

 

Balgo art is known for its vibrant colour and bold compositions and these qualities have transferred effectively to the medium of glass.  For the artists, working with the coloured glass, frit and rod is like creating glass ‘paintings’.  Senior artists and younger artists alike have demonstrated their skill as they effortlessly move into the medium of glass and create works of exceptional quality.

 

In 2005 Warlayirti Artists developed a glass coolamon, a small number of which will be produced each year.  In 2006 there will be a formal launch of these exquisite fine art pieces accompanied by the launch of a book published by Warlayirti Artists with the assistance of The Myer Foundation that documents the making and use of coolamons, their cultural significance to people of the Kutjungka region and the development of the glass coolamons.