Artist's name:     
Nick Wirdnam

Little straw school 2003 cast glass on metal stand
21.0 x 45.0 x 15.0cm

Cultural background:   
Both of my parents were born in England

Place of origin:     
Portsmouth, England

Start of migration journey:   
Gatwick, England - 1983

Place of arrival in Australia:  
Melbourne, Victoria - 1983

First home in Australia:   
Brighton, Victoria

Initial employment in Australia:       
1983-88 Senior Tutor - Chisholm Institute of Technology (now Monash University), Melbourne,Victoria

Other Jobs in Australia:  
1988-89 Lecturer - Chisholm Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria; 1989-Current - Coordinator and Lecturer - Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria

Any glass related objects that you brought with you? And still have?: 
I brought some pieces that I had made at the Isle of Wight Glass Studio and glass making tools.

Nick's story

I was born in Portsmouth, England but went to boarding school on the Isle of Wight.  I finished school in 1974 and whilst
figuring out what it my next academic step was to be I got a holiday job in a small but very successful glass studio Isle of Wight Glass Studio in St Lawrence, set up by Michael Harris.  I had the good fortune to meet Michael through a mutual friend of the family, what started as a summer holiday job lasted about nine years before I came to Australia. 

The Chisholm Institute of Technology (now Monash University) had an exhibition of glass and ceramics at Victoria House in London; my father had seen the exhibition and encouraged me to go. At that stage I wanted a change and to do some
travelling I went along and spoke with Lindsey Anderson who was the Head of the Department, Ceramic Design at the time. He was familiar with Isle of Wight Glass Studio and said that they were looking for someone with my level of skills so I applied and was selected which made me eligible for a Residency Visa. 

In 1983, I arrived in Australia to commence my position as Senior Tutor at Chisholm Institute.  In 1990, I completed my Bachelor of Arts Ceramic Design at Monash University, which was a multi disciplinary degree, including metals, ceramics, and glass. 

In 1991, I was offered an overseas study opportunity to spend three months travelling to glass centres and studios in the United States of America(USA), Canada and the United Kingdom(UK) including those of renowned artists Dante Marioni, Ben Moore and Dale Chihuly.

In 1994 I had an opportunity to work as a technical assistant to American glass artist David Hopper when he conducted a workshop at the Meat Market Craft Centre in Melbourne and then again at the Nijima Art Glass Festival, Japan in 1995.  These workshops involved the application of high-fire paints on glass - we worked really well together. David's main interest was in the application of the paint whilst my own techniques take the painted components and work with them in a molten state. These workshops were really successful and six months later David rang me with an offer to assist him again, this time at the Pilchuck Glass School Seattle, Washington. An amazing, and, quite possibly career changing experience. I have been back on a number of occasions, as a student a teacher and in 1998, attended a Hot Sculpting Glass workshop with Italian Master Dino Rosin through a scholarship. My most recent visit was as a student in a William Morris class in 2003. 

In 2002 I spent seven weeks at Northlands Creative Glass in Scotland, having been offered a residency.  Despite many years of working with glass this was the first opportunity where I approached my work without distraction and commitments. The remote location had an unexpected influence on my work and has provided the impetus for future exploration. It was a
wonderful experience and a fantastic opportunity.

I have maintained my practice during my time at Monash, as a lecturer and head of studio it's important for the students to see me as a practicing artist.  I have participated in many exhibitions nationally and internationally and been involved with the Meat Market Craft Centre Melbourne The Jam Factory Contemporary Craft and Design, Adelaide and Ausglass.  

The piece at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, called "Little Straw School" is part of a series. Fish are symbolic and are a metaphor for individuals, community and family.  This piece has a hand as a tail, another symbol I use in my work that can have a number of meanings, whether it is a caring, praying or a slaying hand. I choose not to discuss the meanings or the
inspiration behind the work but am happy for the viewer to interpret these combinations as they wish. I hope they will hear the quietness, see the silence and feel the peacefulness I aim to achieve  

Australian glass is innovative as there is no national glass tradition or aesthetic to honour and no industry to fall back on. There are no restrictions, we are free to borrow adapt and develop techniques from the rich history and traditions of glass from around the world. 

I currently live in Highett, Melbourne, with my wife and two children - Matthew is fourteen years old and Hannah, ten.  When I first came to Australia I had no intentions of staying. I was on a three year contract and did not know how long the job would last.  I enjoyed the outdoor life which was one of the great reasons for coming here.  My life is now different - my family and my work take priority. 

I would never have achieved what I have in Australia if I were still back in England.