Tim Shaw has three degrees in Glassblowing.

After attaining his BA (Hons) from North Staffordshire Polytechnic in the UK in the early 80’s, he went on to study at the avant-garde Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam where he continued to develop and experiment creating a unique style of art glass.

In the mid 80’s, Tim established a glass workshop in the Crystal Palace area of London where he continued his artistic practice.

His creative talent was recognized by his peers, and he was invited to undertake his second MA at the prestigious Royal College of Art in London. Here he further refined and honed his glassmaking skills whilst pushing the boundaries of his artistic expression.

Since leaving full-time education Tim has pursued his career as a professional glass artist.

He was awarded a scholarship to the Pilchuck Glass School in the USA and a fellowship to attend the Creative Glass Centre of America.

He has received invitations to teach and demonstrate around the world, including The Glass Furnace in Turkey, Fraunau Glass Summer School in Germany, University of Hawaii, Palomar College in San Diego, High Wycombe and Wrexham Colleges in the UK, as well as the University of South Australia and the Sydney College of the Arts.

Tim has continued to maintain his professional profile through exhibiting in the UK, Europe, USA, Asia and Australia.

Tim is a member of Glass Arts Society (USA), Ausglass (AUST), Contemporary Glass Society (UK).

Recent Exhibitions include ‘Ausglass (Australia 2008) ‘Et in arcadia ego’ (adelaide 2007), SOFA Chicago (USA 2007), art+glass+design’ (Adelaide 2006), ‘Reves De Vases’ (Paris 2005) S.O.F.A. (Chicago 2004, 2005), ‘Artlantis’ (Australia 2003), ‘Conflux’ (Australia, 2003), ‘Sensorium’ (Australia 2002), ‘Mitsukoshi’ (Taiwan 2002), S.O.F.A. 2002 (Chicago, USA).

For the past 9 years Tim has resided in Australia and owns and operates his own hotglass workshop, one of the few independent hotglass studios in South Australia. Tim is also a regular patron of the Jam Factory facility.

His studio is nestled amongst the stringybark forests of the beautiful Adelaide Hills, less than 20 minutes from the Adelaide city center.

In this idyllic and creative setting, Tim’s work has flourished, absorbing an Australian influence. This inspiration is most marked through his use of vibrant colour and striking forms.

Tim is passionate about glass and creates objects of great beauty. His pleasure in working with glass is evident to the viewer.

“I love glass! Molten glass is liquid fire; it flows and is ever changing until it cools, freezing and capturing a moment in time. Glass is a wonderfully contradictory material, liquid and soulful, yet hard and sharp and solid.

I can make anything in glass, yet I feel I have only just scratched the surface of what is possible artistically. Every day I am transfixed and riveted by the endless possibilities of glass. I find its transparency and opacity tantalizing and fascinating. I adore the limitless range of colours and effects I can obtain within this material.

Through blowing, molding, manipulating and carving, glass is the perfect medium through which I can convey my artistic expression and emotions, transforming my inspiration into beautiful objects.

I am constantly inspired by nature and all things beautiful, and believe my role as an artist is to bring pleasure and joy into people’s lives. Glass reflects the nature of life, through its fragility and fluidity.”

Tim Shaw’s art glass is seductive and alluring. His love of colour, surface decoration and texture captures the viewer and fires the imagination. Tim’s art is versatile and exciting. His technical talents and artistic flair combine to create unique masterpieces.

‘Slash and Cut’ Series

My ‘Slash and Cut’ Series take traditional blown forms that I slash and cut with my diamond saw to carve and sculpt the surface. The holes in the piece serve to challenge the viewers’ concept of the vessel as well as allowing the object to be viewed simultaneously from within and without.

This process is dangerous and exhilarating at the same time. Whilst I start with a vague plan of attack, the piece often dictates the carving process, and all too often the vessel ceases to exist because I overstep the line, and end up with a pile of broken glass!

This radical approach to carving glass, results in works that are steeped in raw energy, yet possess a refined elegance. This balance between form and fragility, coupled with the pieces’ transparency, colour and surface texture allow me to create objects that are uniquely beautiful.