WATHAURONG GLASS
November 2019
Art Glass
Detail - slumped glass platter
When an art develops a signature
style it secures its place in the visual lexicon – art that is recognizably by
a particular ‘hand’ is understood to have achieved that significant position.
Wathaurong Glass is just such a creation – somehow, in Geelong, a whole tribe
has come together to achieve unique artworks, together, an amazing and
inspirational contrast to the often ego-driven individualism of the ‘western’
artworld.
In 1998 the Wathaurong
Glass company was formed to express Aboriginal art in glass. The
techniques used to produce their products include the use of kiln forming
(slumping glass), sandblasting and any other technique felt suitable to achieve
a desired result.
Great pride is taken in producing
unique artwork with the net result of high quality glass products. Current
products include: slumped window and door glass, kitchen and bathroom
splashbacks, platters, bowls and corporate gifts, and unique awards and trophies
in glass. Wathaurong Glass also works on
commercial commissions without cultural connotations such as glass light
lenses, corporate logos and kiln formed textured glass.
Located in Geelong, Wathaurong
Glass (WG) supplies and arranges delivery of all products
Australia wide – an art in itself.
Wathaurong Glass began life when
RMIT University and ATSIC came
together to address employment opportunities for local people – all
employees/co-operative members of WG are indigenous. Mark Edwards has been
leading the ‘adventure’ for all 20 years of the group’s existence and when
tough times threatened, (and they did), he managed to hold the group together
and continue the project which now sees WG as a highly successful small
business.
Detail - Slumped glass platter
The name WATHAURONG (wathawurrung
or wadda wurrung) is a recognised Aboriginal tribe, comprised of 25 clans. The
boundaries of Wathaurong are from Geelong (Victoria), North to Werribee River,
North West to Bacchus Marsh, South West to Cressy, South East to Colac, East to
Lorne & North back to Geelong encompassing the Bellarine Peninsula.
Wathaurong Glass is a not for
profit business owned by the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd which is an
Aboriginal community-controlled organization, structured so that the community
of Wathaurong and the broader community are the beneficiaries of any
profit. Where possible Wathaurong Glass purchases its raw materials from
the local community believing this is better for Geelong and the environment
(less transport emissions). This sensitive wholistic approach to sourcing and
creation is indicative of a fine co-operative ethos such as underpins so much
positive and inspirational indigenous thinking and practice and provides a
great living example to the young.
WINDOWSPACE BEEAC is privileged to
host the fine work of this tribe.
Hand-painted - translucent glass platter
Bush toys in window by BRONWYN RAZEM!
