|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
From her studio by the Taihiki River, Glenbrook’s Lisa Bate brings her art to life.
“Recently, I’ve been working on an environmental series of glass wall panels, relating to the local waterways here in Tāmaki Makaurau,” she explains.
“This process explores glass behavior, how it melts and flows when heated, re-firing the glass, and no wax is used. It’s quite freeing.”
For Bate, glass is an exceptional medium to work in. She finds it incredibly versatile, allowing her to shift both shape and light.
A little-known technique, the lost-wax method, is often employed. It involves pouring molten metal into wax molds that are then melted away to reveal the sculpture inside.
Because of this, Bate never knows if the final product will be what she is attempting to achieve until after it is fired in her kiln – the process requires patience and it can be nerve-racking, she says.
Bate began working with glass while she was a student in England.
“After leaving school, I went on to art college where I became interested in materials and sculpture and met some very passionate tutors,” she recalls.
“I was at Falmouth University, Cornwall when I discovered glass, the casting process and its complexities. Since then, I’ve been working with glass for more than 15 years.”
Before immigrating to New Zealand in 2014, she worked at her alma mater as a technical instructor in glass. She continues to teach mixed media workshops here.
An established artist, Bate has won several awards, including first place at east Auckland’s acclaimed Estuary Art and Ecology Awards.
Looking ahead, she is set to travel back to the UK taking with her a piece inspired by her adopted home.
“One of my water-related glass wall panels is in an exhibition in the UK this year as part of the 2026 British Glass Biennale. This is very exciting and I am honoured to be selected,” Bate adds.
“As I have been in New Zealand for just over 12 years now, it will be like coming full circle.”
