Drift

Edwards, an independent studio artist living and working in Adelaide, Australia, was trained as a ceramist. In the 1990s, he held the position of associate designer in ceramics, and then glass, at the Jam Factory in Adelaide. He went on to establish a private studio in 1997. “For this year’s Rakow Commission, I chose to focus on the vessel, rather than on sculpture,” says Tina Oldknow, curator of modern glass. “I wanted to bring attention to the intersection of craft and design, and to studio artists working within industry. These are trends of special interest right now.” Edwards’ vessels have been represented in exhibitions worldwide. He creates single bowls and pairs of simple, rectangular handblown glass forms. The vessels act as a canvas for asymmetrical fields of soft, natural colors, which are applied while the glass is being worked at the furnace. Texture is given to the glass by wheel-cutting it after it has cooled. Inaugurated in 1986, the Rakow Commission supports the development of new works of art in glass. Each commissioned work is added to the Museum’s collection. This program is made possible through the generosity of the late Dr. and Mrs. Leonard S. Rakow, Fellows, friends, and benefactors of the Museum.