Clear Vision: Sustainable Art Glass

Apr 22, 2023 to Jul 9, 2023

Image: Emma Varga, Sarasota #2 (detail), 2014, cast and fused glass.

About

The production of glass including art glass is hugely energy intensive, requiring the melting of raw materials, the use of gas torches and the firing of kilns at high and sustained temperatures. As a fossil fuel which emits greenhouse gas, the use of gas contributes to climate change.

Clear Vision: Sustainable Art Glass presents the work of artists from the National Art Glass Collection who have embraced and developed sustainable methods in their art practice. Increasingly, glass artists are choosing to reduce their environmental impact by using new techniques and equipment such as energy-efficient furnaces and kilns and non-toxic materials. Artists are also rethinking their use of glass itself, by choosing to upcycle existing glass objects, or use recycled glass in their creations, and hence, reduce the amount of glass that ends up in landfill. And finally, in recognising the environmental impacts of transportation, artists are choosing to source their materials locally, or opting for eco-friendly shipping methods to reduce their carbon footprint.

The artists in this exhibition are playing an important role in promoting sustainable art practice by being mindful of their environmental impact and exploring eco-friendly production methods. By doing so, they create beautiful and meaningful works of art that also contribute to a more sustainable future.

Clear Vision: Sustainable Art Glass forms part of Wagga Wagga Art Gallery’s Green23 program of Environmentally focussed exhibitions and programs