Willunga Glass Studio: Lisa experiences some of the heat of the furnace in the Fleurieu Peninsula region of South Australia

It's a long way from a city construction site to an art studio in Willunga - but it's a journey Glenn Howlett successfully completed after suffering a back injury a few years ago. This former crane operator is now reaching new heights creating spectacular works in molten glass in his Willunga Glass Studio.

We watched as he ladled blobs of hot molten glass out of the furnace and rolled it flat. Just like a pizza going into a wood-fired oven, Glenn uses a well-worn paddle to slide the flat wad of melted glass into the kiln.

Glenn Howlett, Willunga Glass Studio: "The glass has to remain warm and in glass terminology warm is around 500 degrees. If you left it in the air it would just crack. The terminology is the glass has to anneal which is basically cooling down slowly."

What started out as a hobby is now a full-time business as Glenn continues to push the creative envelope particularly with molten glass.

Glenn Howlett, Willunga Glass Studio: "A potter friend of mine lent me a kiln when she went on holidays one time and I slumped a piece of glass or bent a piece of glass and that was really amazing to see that hard, brittle piece of glass actually bend so that got me hooked onto fused and slumped glass…"

Since then, he's created an amazing range of work. From his eclectic and very popular range of fishy themed platters, to amazingly detailed landscapes - all in the unlikely medium of glass.

After cooling the rolled piece of glass is heated again and when hot enough, it's put into a mould where it slumps into a gently curved bowl and transformed into a kaleidoscope of subtle, swirling colour. Glenn's fascination with slumping or melting glass led him to build his own mega 'flat-bed' kiln. In here, he turns plain sheets of flat glass into fascinating works of art. The sheets of glass literally melt over the moulds Glenn makes and puts on the base of the kiln. And the options are endless.

The principles of glass-making haven't changed much for centuries and that's one of the attractions for Glenn as he continues to explore the possibilities. To see his work for yourself, drop into his studio at 36 High Street in Willunga. It's open 10am - 4pm weekdays and 10am - 1pm on Saturdays. If you're making a special trip it pays to call ahead on 8556 2363. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au

Willunga Glass Studio
38 High Street
Willunga
10am-4pm Mon-Fri 10am-1pm Sat
Ph 8556 2363

Published 30th May 2010