Robert Wynne – Glass Artist
ROBERT JAMES WYNNE
Born 1959 Yarram Victoria, Australia
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work portrays contrasting impulses within. I love the challenge of technical precision but I need to be able to play and explore. I enjoy making beautiful objects but I am not afraid to create pieces that evoke emotions more complex than just aesthetic appreciation. In some ways I’m an anarchist, I’m not happy when things are just comfortable. I am restless, always looking for an angle and this is reflected in a body of work that is quite diverse.
Having said this, there are common threads running through my work. I love the gorgeous glow of light through frosted glass and have a fascination with lustrous, iridescent finishes; particularly with the way that light is manipulated, reflected and transmitted. I take inspiration from a broad range of influences including historical glassmaking practices and formal sculptural dialogue. My recent work featuring the Raven and other birds engages with themes of desire, the fragility of wealth and the concept of security.
Wynne’s career has spanned over 30 years. In that time his work has appeared in many significant collections, publications and exhibitions. Below is a summary of his career so far.
EDUCATION
| 1982 – 1983 | Master of Arts in Art | California State University, Chico California USA |
| 1981 | Graduate Diploma of Visual Arts | Monash University (Gippsland IAE), Churchill VIC Australia |
| 1977 – 1979 | Diploma of Visual Arts | Monash University (Gippsland IAE), Churchill VIC Australia |
SELECTED SOLO, GROUP & INVITATIONAL EXHIBITIONS
| 2015 | S.O.F.A Chicago | Represented by Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2015 | Kirra Illuminating Glass Award | Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2014 | Finalist Ranamok Glass Prize | National Touring Exhibition, Australia |
| 2014 | S.O.F.A Chicago | Represented by Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2014 | Kirra Illuminating Glass Award | Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2013 | Masters in Blown Glass | Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2013 | Light in Winter | Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2012 | S.O.F.A Chicago | Represented by Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2012 | Global + Local | Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg Florida USA |
| 2011 | S.O.F.A Chicago | Represented by Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2011 | Masters of Glass | The National Art Glass Gallery, Wagga Wagga NSW Australia |
| 2011 | Light in Winter | Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2010 | Finalist Woollhara Small Sculpture Prize | Woollahra Municipal Council, Double Bay NSW Australia |
| 2010 | Finalist Ranamok Glass Prize | National Touring Exhibition, Australia |
| 2010 2010 |
Masters and Mentors Light in Winter |
Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2010 | Masterworks in Miniature | Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2009 | The Kerfoot Collection | The National Art Glass Gallery, Wagga Wagga NSW Australia |
| 2009 | Art in Glass | Framed Gallery, Darwin NT Australia |
| 2009 | Collect London | Saatchi Gallery, London UK Represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2008 | Windows on Pain | ABN Amro Building, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2007 | Contemporary Art Glass | Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2007 | S.O.F.A Chicago | Represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2007 | Art London | Represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2007 | Finalist City of Hobart Art Prize 07 | Tasmania Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart TAS Australia |
| 2007 | Vessel | Masterworks Gallery, Auckland New Zealand |
| 2006 | Finalist Ranamok Glass Prize | National Touring Exhibition, Australia |
| 2006 | Qdos Glass Show | Qdos Gallery, Lorne VIC Australia |
| 2006 | Ethereal Light | Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2005 | Shima | Gallery Sakura No Ki, Tokyo Japan |
| 2005 | S.O.F.A Chicago | Represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2005 | Material Instincts | Manly Art Gallery and Museum, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2005 | Finalist Ranamok Glass Prize | National Touring Exhibition, Australia |
| 2005 | S.O.F.A Chicago | Represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2005 | Solo Exhibition | Framed Gallery, Darwin NT Australia |
| 2004 | Finalist Ranamok Glass Prize | National Touring Exhibition, Australia |
| 2004 | Terrain | Beaver Galleries, Canberra ACT Australia |
| 2004 | Collect | Victoria and Albert Museum Represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2004 | Solo Exhibition | Arte Gallery, Palm Desert California USA |
| 2004 | S.O.F.A Chicago | Represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2003 | S.O.F.A Chicago | Represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2003 | Elemental | Gallery Sakura No Ki, Tokyo Japan |
| 2002 | S.O.F.A Chicago | Represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2002 | Singapore Contemporary Art Fair | Represented by Soho Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2001 | Invitational Exhibition | Louisville Glassworks, Kentucky USA |
| 2001 | S.O.F.A Chicago | Represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2001 | Antipodean Blends | Gallery Sakura No Ki, Tokyo Japan |
| 2001 | Glass Art Australia | Quadrivium Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2001 | Australian Glass…The Cutting Edge | Axia Modern Art, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2000 | Colonial to Contemporary | Powerhouse Museum, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2000 | Quadrivium’s Finest | Quadrivium Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 2000 | Australasian Glass 2000 | Masterworks Gallery, Auckland New Zealand |
| 2000 | Vibrant Visions | Marta Hewett Gallery, Cincinnati Ohio USA |
| 1999 | Australian Studio Glass | Lisbon Portugal |
| 1999 | Solo Exhibition | Framed Gallery, Darwin NT Australia |
| 1999 | S.O.F.A Chicago | Represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 1998/99 | Latitudes II Tour Exhibition | Latitudes – Gallery Himawari, Seto Japan |
| Bullseye Connection, Portland USA | ||
| The Australian National University School of Art Gallery, Canberra ACT Australia | ||
| Noosa Regional Gallery, QLD Australia | ||
| Jam Factory Craft and Design Centre, Adelaide SA Australia | ||
| 1998 | Glass Masters | Qdos Gallery, Lorne VIC Australia |
| 1997 | Glass Sculpture Solo Exhibition | Golden Canvas Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 1995/6 | Latitudes | Latitudes – Bullseye Connection, Portland Oregon USA |
| Latitudes – Craftspace Sydney and ACT Crafts Council Gallery, Canberra ACT Australia | ||
| 1995 | S.O.F.A Chicago | Represented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney NSW Australia |
| 1994 | Australian Glass Show | Contemporary Art Niki, Tokyo, Japan |
| 1992 | Solo Exhibition | Golden Canvas Gallery, Balmain Sydney NSW Australia |
| 1992 | Work selected for the Australia Shop | World Expo, Seville Spain |
| 1990 | Australian Crafts 1990 | Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 1988 | 4th National Studio Glass Exhibition | Wagga Wagga City Art Gallery, NSW Australia |
| 1988 | Invitational Exhibition Glass Australia ’88, Gas & Fuel Glass Award | Meat Market Craft Center, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 1984 | Solo exhibition | Distelfink Gallery, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 1984 | Glasmuseum, Ebeltoft | Denmark |
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
| Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery | Hobart TAS Australia |
| Private Collection of Bill Clinton | New York USA |
| Private Collection Sir Elton John | UK / USA |
| Prince Hirohito Royal Family Collection |
Tokyo Japan |
| Museum of Art | Mobile Alabama USA |
| New Federal Parliament House | Canberra ACT Australia |
| Powerhouse Museum | Sydney NSW Australia |
| Lang Walker Fine Art Collection | Sydney NSW Australia |
| Victorian State Craft Collection | Melbourne VIC Australia |
| Latrobe Valley Regional Arts Centre | Morwell VIC Australia |
| Queensland Contemporary Art Gallery | Brisbane QLD Australia |
| National Glass Collection | Wagga Wagga NSW Australia |
| Rockhampton Art Gallery | Rockhampton QLD Australia |
| Art Bank | Sydney NSW Australia |
| Wentworth Rydges Hotel | Sydney NSW Australia |
| Glasmuseum | Ebeltoft Denmark |
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
| 2014 2014 |
Ausglass Review Winter 2014 The Australian, 05 Jun 2014, Arts & Entertainment, page 16 |
| 2007 | Object Magazine Issue 51 |
| 2006 | Ranamok Glass Prize |
| 2005 | Ranamok Glass Prize |
| 2005 | Australian Glass Today by Margot Osborne, Australia |
| 2005 | Craft Arts International No. 63 |
| 2005 | Material Instincts – Manly Art Gallery and Museum |
| 2004 | Ranamok Glass Prize |
| 2003 | SOFA Chicago |
| 1999 | This Side Up – glass journal, The Netherlands |
| 1998 | Latitudes – Bullseye Glass in Australia |
| 1997 | Masters of their Craft by Noris Ioannou, Australia |
| 1995 | Australian National Glass Collection, Wagga Wagga City Art Gallery, NSW, Australia |
| 1995 | Australian Studio Glass by Noris Ioannou, Australia |
| 1988 | Classics Exhibition Catalogue, Crafts Council of NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia |
| 1985 | Ausglass magazine review of MGM Gallery Exhibition |
GRANTS
| 2004 | Austrade – GRANT |
| 1998 | Thomas Foundation – GRANT |
| 1982 | Crafts Board of the Australia Council – GRANT |
| 1981 | Crafts Board of the Australia Council – GRANT |
AWARDS
| 2014 | Recipient of the inaugural Kirra Illuminating Glass Award, Kirra Galleries, Melbourne VIC Australia |
| 2014 | Finalist, Ranamok Glass Prize, Australia |
| 2010 | Finalist Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize, Woollahra Municipal Council, Double Bay NSW Australia |
| 2010 | Finalist, Ranamok Glass Prize, Australia |
| 2006 | Finalist, Ranamok Glass Prize, Australia |
| 2005 | Finalist, Ranamok Glass Prize, Australia |
| 2004 | Finalist, Ranamok Glass Prize, Australia |