Tell us about yourself.
‘Glass is my canvas; screen printing is brush.’
At its core, Brenda’s work explores the intricate fabric of our relationship with existence, beckoning contemplation of life’s ephemeral nature. Drawing inspiration from the Victorian memento mori aesthetic, Brenda’s imagery navigates themes of loss and mourning, interwoven with intrinsic narratives that guide each piece’s conception.
As an artist she is not contained to a single technique, medium or format, instead she prefers to work across 2d, sculptural and installations. Elements like hand-sewn components and intricately sculpted waxes for lost wax casting underscore her methodical approach. Frequently she works with cast, fused, and blown glass forms, using them as a substrate for her painting and screen printed elements. She occasionally incorporates unconventional materials such as found objects and human hair to enhance the narrative.
Brenda’s initial encounter with glass occurred while studying fine art program at RMIT. Subsequently, she transferred to Monash University, embarking upon a four-year degree in Ceramic Design, majoring in glass, graduating in 1992. Initially she was drawn to the hot glass studio, its immediate and dynamically interactive nature appealed to her, however she soon realised that for her the hand of the maker need to be much more evident on her work. So she focused on kiln formed glass, print making and mark making.
Her professional practice has included numerous workshops with local and international artists, acting as a studio assistant, running a dedicated community access glass studio, and completing many significant commissions. Her work is represented in collections in Australia and internationally. She lives in the Dandenong ranges an hour out of Melbourne.
What draws you to the material you work with?
Glass is a medium with unlimited possibilities. It is the perfect medium for expressing a wide range of concepts and emotions. I love the technical challenges it presents and its ability to have its own voice
What themes do you pursue in your work?
I mostly work around themes of loss and mourning.
What is your dream project?
I’m always keen on installation work, using and filling large areas of space.