Barbara Jane Cowie, Creative Director of Art Glass Solutions, takes glass art to the next level through experimentation and innovation.
1 July 2021
Text by Yvonne Xu
Photography by Justin Loh (unless otherwise stated)
Barbara Jane Cowie has been working with glass for over thirty years. For her, glass is material, substance and matter in every sense of the word. She shares, “My practice is not so much on high technique or skill, but is really based on concept development and experiments with the material.” The all-embracing interest in the material means Barbara Jane wears many hats – as artist, designer, educator and glassmaking consultant.
Barbara Jane moved to Singapore in 2003 after completing a Masters Degree of Visual Arts at University of South Australia and has lived and worked in Singapore since. She has been commissioned to install a number of public artworks here, as well as for commercial buildings and condominium developments. She shares of the spatial projects, “When someone asks me to do an installation I actually look at the space and design for it, and make something that fits the space.”
She believes that an art piece designed for spaces should enhance the flow of chi. She explains, “That is what most people will remember; they will just have a feeling about it, they won’t necessarily remember the artwork,” referring to projects for semi-private lobby spaces. She adds, “When people want to have something for their home, I’d recommend that they come in for a lesson. Then they can make it for themselves, and there is something more imbued in an object – they can make pieces that are very personal.”
Photo courtesy of Glass Art Solutions
Barbara Jane conducts glassmaking workshops and classes, and shares that these are equally popular with couples who come on dates, as well as with schools and companies interested in team-building activities. She is also available for commissions for your home.
Art Glass Solutions
www.artglasssolutions.com
We think you may also like Bespoke designs by a master craftsman
Photo courtesy of Fine Art Solutions
Photo courtesy of Fine Art Solutions
Like what you just read? Similar articles below
Liew Yu Hua is a local designer-maker who draws inspiration from the untold stories of nature to create furniture and objects mindfully.
History and sentiment lend richness to this eye-catching flat where contemporary Nordic design meets colourful Art Deco touches.
