Nick Wirdnam can only be described as a perfectionist. He uses traditional techniques, to create beautiful realistic glass forms that adopt the surface, texture and colour of the objects they represent. Seen as powerful symbols these hot formed glass sculptures draw on superstitions resonating with all cultures throughout history.
‘Often drawing on cultural beliefs, personal circumstance or experience we develop systems which offer comfort and security. We invest value in symbols and objects which protect us from misfortune and provide hope and promise. This work employs familiar objects with an historical association of good fortune, hope and consolation.’
The composition of objects arranged into a narrative both attracts and confounds the viewer. His mastery of the medium and technical ability combined with original thought are rare attributes that define him as an artist and make his work desirable and collectable.
Born in Portsmouth, England, Nick Wirdnam became a foundation member of the studio team at Isle of Wight Glass in 1974, where he stayed for the next nine years, producing award winning decorative functional work and art objects. Moving to Australia in 1983, Nick took up a teaching position at Monash University, Melbourne, where he continued to lecture until 2007 inspiring the next generation of glass artists. In 1998, Nick was awarded the Pilchuck Scholarship to attend hot-sculpting classes with Italian master, Dino Rosin and, in 2002, he accepted a residency at North Lands Creative Glass Centre in Caithness, Scotland. Nick has been a consistent finalist in prestigious awards such as the Ranamok Glass Prize, Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize and Tom Malone Prize. He has had numerous solo and group exhibitions both in Australia and overseas, and is represented in major public collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Queensland Art Gallery, National Art Glass Collection at Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Nijima Glass Art Museum (Japan) and the Shanghai Museum of Glass (China).
QUALIFICATIONS
1990
Bachelor of Arts Ceramic Design Monash University
1989-2007
Coordinator and Lecturer Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
1983 -88
Senior Tutor Chisholm Institute of Technology Melbourne, Australia.
EXHIBITIONS
2018
“Regale” – Crafting the Table Craft Melbourne
2017
“Charm” Beaver Galleries Canberra
“The Nature of Things” Hill Smith Gallery Adelaide
“History Revisited” Craft ACT Canberra
2016
“Charmed” Sabbia Gallery Sydney
Waterhouse Art Prize finalist Art Gallery of South Australia
2015
“Belief” revisited Hill Smith Gallery Adelaide
2014
SOFA Chicago, represented Beaver Galleries
“Leaders” Craft Victoria Melbourne
“Absorb” Canberra Glassworks
“Beliefs” (revisted) Beaver Galleries Canberra
Revere Masters of Glass 2014 Sabbia Gallery Sydney
2013
Masters of Blown Glass Kirra Galleries Melbourne Australia
“Australian Glass Now” Traver Gallery, Seattle, Washington
Waterhouse Art Prize finalist Art Gallery of South Australia
“Prima” group exhibition Sabbia Gallery Sydney
Tom Malone Glass Prize finalist.
Western Australia Art Gallery
2012
Small Works Beaver Galleries Canberra Australia
Ranamok Glass Prize, finalist Canberra, Australia
“Alphabet” group show, curated Mel George Craft ACT.
“Belief” Sabbia Gallery Sydney
2011
SOFA Chicago, represented Beaver Galleries
Ranamok Glass Prize Finalist Canberra, Australia
Waterhouse Art Prize Finalist (2nd Prize) Sculpture Object.
Art Gallery of South Australia
Tom Malone Glass Prize finalist. Australia
“Geometry” Saabia Gallery Sydney, Australia
“Drink” Canberra Glassworks, Australia
2010
“Superstition” Beaver Galleries Canberra, Australia
2008
“Echoes of Nature” Axia Modern, Melbourne, Australia
“Portraits” Dane Gallery Nantucket USA
2007
“Portraits and Memories” William Traver Gallery Tacoma Washington USA
“Portraits of Life” Beaver Galleries Canberra Australia
2006
SOFA Chicago represented by William Traver Gallery
“Reflections”: A Decade of North Lands Creative Glass Edinburgh Scotland
“Portraits Past and Present” Sabbia Gallery Sydney
“Portraits” Dane Gallery Nantucket USA
2005
Australian Glass Hong Kong / Singapore
25 Years Monash Glass” Faculty Gallery Melbourne
International Glass, Laura Russo, Portland, Oregan
“Refined Portraits” Traver Gallery Seattle Washington
2004
“Pilchuck 20 “Stewart Gallery, Boise Idaho USA
Ranamok Glass Prize Finalist Canberra
1st Annual World Gkass Exhibition, Traver Gallery
“Portraits of Life” Traver Gallery Tacoma Washington USA
Acquired by various public collections including:
National Gallery Australia, Canberra Australia.
Shanghai Museum of Glass. China.
Glass Museum Niijima Japan.
Queensland Art Gallery. Brisbane Australia.
Ebeltoft Glass Museum Ebeltoft Denmark.
Northlands Creative Glass collection Lybster Scotland.
National Glass Collection Wagga Wagga.
