Alexandra Hirst

Mosaicos ESTEL

Glass sculptor

The silent conversations between glass sculptures

Alexandra combines different glassworking techniques to make her sculptures
She is inspired by repetitive patterns and line work
Her installations are featured in museums across the world

To create her glass sculptures, Alexandra Hirst first starts with the hot, physical process of glassblowing, then turns to the cooler, meditative process of carving. "My sculptures tell their own stories of landscapes and human emotion," she says. Alexandra uses traditional glassblowing methods and incorporates a modern approach through innovative techniques, such as 3D printing and casting. She works from the JamFactory in Adelaide, where the fast-paced nature of the studio has allowed her to further develop her skills and spend more time experimenting. Her works can be seen across the world, from the Grainger Gallery in Canberra to the Toyama Glass Museum in Japan. Her hand-etched tableware featuring native botanicals are showcased in Melbourne. A project Alexandra remembers fondly is producing 120 handheld citrus squeezers for a citrus-themed launch party for Omniyat in Dubai.

Interview

©Connor Patterson

When did you discover glassblowing?: I discovered glassblowing during my exchange programme at the Alfred University while studying sculpture. An elective course introduced me to the material, and I was immediately hooked – I knew I had to pursue it. My background in sculpture still influences my practice today, shaping how I approach form, space and experimentation.
What inspires your practice and your final designs?: I like to create multiples within my work, leaning more towards installations rather than standalone pieces. Movement is essential – each piece of glass seems to nestle, lean or respond to another, which directly inspires the final installation.
What does your process look like?: The contrast is what I love – glassblowing is hot, fast-paced and full of adrenaline. It requires split-second decisions and constant communication with my team to bring each piece to life. In contrast, carving is a slow, labour-intensive process that is solitary, cold and wet, taking far longer than the blowing process.
What role do emotions play in your works?: Glass allows me to communicate emotions and experiences that sometimes cannot be put into words. I explore how objects can hold and transfer feelings. I create pieces that invite a quiet, reflective interaction – whether it is through the way light moves through glass or how multiple pieces relate to one another.

Alexandra Hirst is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2015 and she started teaching in 2021