Robert Maxwell Schwartz

current cv

Robert is an American glass artist currently working out of the Canberra Glassworks as an instructor and Technical Officer. He received his Master of Visual Arts (Advanced) degree from the School of Art and Design, Australian National University. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Glass and Visual Communications from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. Before coming to Australia he completed an internship at STARworks, Star, North Carolina, and worked as a production glass blower at Flame Run Studio and Gallery, Louisville, Kentucky. 

Since arriving in Australia, Robert has also assisted various artists at the Canberra Glassworks and the School of Art. He was commissioned by the New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services for blown glass components as part of a refurbishing project around the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Also, has had a piece acquired into the Canberra Glassworks permanent collection. Now on a post study visa, he hopes to remain in Australia to continue his art practice in glass.

abstract

My work explores the properties of glass, to activate a dialogue between natural phenomena and the man-made. Reflecting on the ways structural design in contemporary architecture draws inspiration from nature, I use biomimicry as a point of departure. I am particularly interested in the way soap bubbles connect to each other, and create a unique framework. Combining my passion for glass blowing with this approach to systems in nature, I create works that merge the materiality and property of glass with the structure of soap bubbles.