About Setsuko Ogishi
I am one of the few women glassblowers in Australia and, in physical structure the smallest. However, I do have an important advantage and uniqueness - I have a woman's eye. This is why delicacy, softness and simplicity are always present in my work
Her Statement
Glassblowing is my great adventure. I started my artistic career as a painter (this drawing is one of my early works), but found I had a much stronger affinity with glass. For me it is a more flexible, pure and honest medium. I enjoy creating the harmony of colours and transparency in versatile textures and shapes that can be achieved in my landscape. It is the wilderness in glass that intrigues me - the depth, the possibilities.
Traditional Japanese art and customs are important influences in my work. I moved to Australia over twenty years ago and love Australia's futuristic mood and freedom, which is very conducive to my wish to explore the flexibility of glass. Moving from city life to the Australian countryside has greatly influenced my work. Living on the land with the Australian bush at the door of my studio is adding an extended view to my art creation - living so close to nature is not only a source of creativity in itself but also a source of joy to me. I am one of the few women glassblowers in Australia and, in physical structure the smallest. However, I do have an important advantage and uniqueness - I have a woman's eye. This is why delicacy, softness and simplicity are always present in my work My glass works are end pieces reflecting my whole life's creative forces - my beliefs and influences. The magic for me starts when the glass is nothing and from that nothing, by glassblowing, I can achieve beauty. It is truly an amazing and wonderful medium. Glassblowing is physical work using the whole body, but in harmony with the heart and communicating with the brain. If I can pass on a little bit of my passion through my work, the purpose of my creation (and therefore my life) is achieved. |
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Biographical Information
Setsuko's art career started at an early age as a painter. Born in Japan, she studied Oil Painting and Sculpture at senior high school, then extended her interest through Kanazawa College of Arts in Japan, graduating with a degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Setsuko’s glass career started after her arrival in Australia, where she trained in the glass workshop of the renowned Jam Factory Craft Centre in Adelaide from 1982 to 1985, assisted by a grant from the Australia-Japan Foundation. In 1987 she established her own glass studio in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. Setsuko's work reflects her Japanese background, strongly influenced by the Australian lifestyle. Setsuko has exhibited her work at major Exhibitions throughout Australia and has won numerous Awards for excellence in her craft. |
Setsuko Ogishi Art Glass Studio & Gallery
Setsuko Ogishi Art Glass Studio is one of only a few glassblowing studios in Australia, and is the only one in the Hunter Valley which is open to the public. Setsuko's first studio was established in 1987 in Wollombi, New South Wales, and moved to Rothbury in 1999.
Setsuko Talking about Glass Blowing
Glass cools down and gets hard very quickly. When it’s hot (around 1,000°C), it moves and falls off towards the ground, as is the nature of gravity. Glass does not wait for us - once we start making a piece we have to complete this hot work process in reasonable time before the artist is exhausted. We cannot walk away in the middle of making a piece to have a break for a cup a coffee. We have to finish the blowing process.
Glassblowing is like playing music or sports.
The glassblower needs to practice nearly everyday to keep her skills and improve - even after twenty years experience there is always something to learn and new things to discover. Glassblowing is teamwork. Most pieces need more than two hands and sometimes four people or more work together to make one piece.
There are lots of steps in the process. The glassblowing itself is a small part of the whole process. Prior to blowing, I sometimes spend a day mixing my colours to create the look I want. The preparation and finishing work needed to complete a piece takes a huge amount of time and, of course attention, to detail.
After so much practice and experience my hands work seemingly automatically to complete the process, but as an Artist I give love and care (also passion) to the piece every time, every moment, even if I make a similar piece a hundred times, similar to sporting champions if they want to win the game, or musicians if they truly want to make people happy. Glass has a mind of its own, but glass is also a reflection of the artist.
Purchasing our glass and taking it home with you, or giving it to someone is spreading our love and passion which is embodied in the piece. We hope you feel it......
Glassblowing is like playing music or sports.
The glassblower needs to practice nearly everyday to keep her skills and improve - even after twenty years experience there is always something to learn and new things to discover. Glassblowing is teamwork. Most pieces need more than two hands and sometimes four people or more work together to make one piece.
There are lots of steps in the process. The glassblowing itself is a small part of the whole process. Prior to blowing, I sometimes spend a day mixing my colours to create the look I want. The preparation and finishing work needed to complete a piece takes a huge amount of time and, of course attention, to detail.
After so much practice and experience my hands work seemingly automatically to complete the process, but as an Artist I give love and care (also passion) to the piece every time, every moment, even if I make a similar piece a hundred times, similar to sporting champions if they want to win the game, or musicians if they truly want to make people happy. Glass has a mind of its own, but glass is also a reflection of the artist.
Purchasing our glass and taking it home with you, or giving it to someone is spreading our love and passion which is embodied in the piece. We hope you feel it......