Tom Moore
"Make friends with a potato"
Tom Moore studied at Canberra School of Art glass workshop 1990-94, trained through production glassblowing at JamFactory Adelaide 1995-96.
- Was a Fellow at Wheaton Village and student of Pino Signoretto in USA 1997
- Production Manager at JamFactory since 1998 including participation in many international workshops
- Member of Blue Pony group studio since 2003
Tom is developing a significant national exhibition profile for displaying objects of inventiveness and complexity in innovative and compelling ways.
What is the workshop about?
This is primarily a skill-building workshop. Students will work alongside Tom in the many processes involved in the creation of his work. Along the way there will be instruction in planning and drawing, making and using various kinds of cane, lampworking components, blown and solid glassmaking techniques and hot-assembly of the various parts to create resolved small, highly detailed objects. Students will be encouraged through discussion to think about the possibilities of narrative and humour in their work and to explore methods of display and installation including the combination of other materials with glass.
Where and When?
The workshop will be held from 09:00 on Saturday 10 January to 17:00 (5pm) on Wednesday 14 January, o9:00 - 17:00 each day, 5 days. This allows attendees a day to sightsee or relax, before the Conference starts on Friday 16 January.
The workshop will be held at James Dodson's studio at Tasmanian Glassblowers, 859 Hobart Road, Breadalbane 7258; Google Maps reference or see James' page on his website http://tasglassblowers.com.au/jdmg.html. James' studio is less than 1 minute from the Launceston airport roundabout, and 10 minutes from Tasmania's second city, Launceston. Attendees might consider car-pooling and we can put you in touch with each other. Accommodation can be found in the nearby suburb of Kings Meadows, or in Launceston itself.
Your host and 'technical assistant' is James Dodson, co-chair of the 2009 Conference and master glassblower. Light lunches and morning and afternoon teas will be provided. Contact James 0407 514 338 for accommodation advice.
How does the workshop relate to the Conference Theme?
A lot of the techniques used in this workshop have a very strong foundation in glassmaking tradition. A couple of examples of how the "roots of glass" appear in Tom's work are the use of Italian cane techniques and traditional forms such as the bottle. In Tom's work this consideration of tradition has been tempered by an appreciation of organic forms and an awareness of diminishing natural resources. Consequently students will be shown how to attach glass roots onto a bottle in a most efficient way.
During the workshop we will consciously aim to make the most of the available glass, time and oven space to minimize waste. There will be discussion about building a sustainable career as an artist that may include glass in a diverse practice using various materials.
What should participants expect to bring?
Glassblowing/lampworking spectacles, closed shoes, natural-fibre work clothes, some glass colour, drawing equipment, sense of humour. Please also bring a small, quirky, non-precious, non-glass object which may be used in a project in conjunction with a glass object. Please bring your own hand tools if possible
Experience
Participant should have had previous glassblowing experience as a lot of the techniques to be used are quite advanced.
Tom's website
http://mooreismore.com (should be ready soon)
