This spring, Gippsland Art Gallery, Sale, is presenting ‘Into the Light’, a survey exhibition of artworks by renowned Gippsland artist Tony Hanning.
Mr Hanning has a national and international reputation as an accomplished artist in drawing and painting, but he is perhaps best known for his extraordinary glass pieces.
Mr Hanning established Australia’s first tableware hot-glass studio in Australia with Nick and Pauline Mount in 1980, named Budgeree Glass, situated on the outskirts of Boolarra. Together, Mr Hanning and the Mounts achieved enormous success, making glassware for department stores around Australia.
In the course of his career Mr Hanning has visited North America four times and has become acquainted with leading hot glass artists such as Richard Marquis and Paul Marioni. As part of a two-man team Hanning created a decorative glass wall in the Seattle Police Station, and his work has since become acquired by many leading galleries and institutions around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Tacoma Art Museum in the USA, and Parliament House in Canberra.
Mr Hanning is renowned for his intricate etching and carving of images into the surface of glass forms.
He is a master and a world leader of this technique, which has led to exhibitions and acclaim from around Australia and internationally. Mr Hanning’s imagery draws on a range of natural and industrial imagery in his work, but he is particularly known for the ‘cameo’ glass vessels, such as CIT. These stunning pieces — typically vases, bowls and spheres — carry images of structures and strange architectures, often containing mysterious floating objects, glimpses of landscape, and optical effects, all executed with a geometric precision.
‘Into the Light’ also includes a range of paintings, drawings and photographs by Mr Hanning, showing the full range of his art practice.
Pastel drawings like Sale Wetlands show his meticulous technique and ability to capture the unique atmosphere of each location, as well as a remarkable sense of light.
‘Into the Light’ is a free exhibition and spans over forty years of artmaking, making it an ideal opportunity to discover the art of Tony Hanning in depth. The artist will be presenting a drawing workshop at the gallery on Saturday, October 19, from 10.30am.
Bookings are essential and can be made through the gallery’s website,
www.gippslandartgallery.com
