Emeirely Nucifora-Ryan

Musing over the fluorescent

• Emeirely plays with glass and neon in her sculptural works and installations
• She carries out research on neon and applies scientific rigour to making her creations
• Her works won the David Henshall Emerging Artist category of the Fuse Glass Prize in 2024

Working with neon and glass, Emeirely Nucifora-Ryan’s practice is shaped by reflecting and refracting light. She first discovered glass in 2012 in a workshop at ANU School of Art and Design and continues to be inspired by watching hot glass turn from molten to solid within moments. After working with mentors, she found herself intrigued by neon glassworks, as they are recyclable and consume less power as they run at a cooler temperature. "Neon is entirely made by hand, which emphasises the manual aspect of my craft," she says. Emeirely's Process project won the David Henshall Emerging Artist category of the Fuse Glass Prize in 2024 and earned her a residency at the JamFactory. "This recognition encouraged me to pursue my neon work and validated my aesthetic direction", she shares. In 2025, Emeirely showcased her installations in the new and emerging art exhibition BLAZE 2025 at Canberra Contemporary.

Interview

©Tom Glassey

©Emeirely Nucifora-Ryan

Is your practice informed by your studies?

I majored in glass for my visual arts degree at ANU. I used a variety of blown, kiln-formed and cold-worked glass with found objects and mixed media. I was in pursuit of capturing the phenomenon of glass – its ability to hold, reflect and refract light.

What inspires you today?

At the moment, the material is what inspires me. Each body of work I create using neon is an opportunity for me to improve my skills in glass bending. It is a magical material, and feeling capable of harnessing light is truly wondrous.

Could you explain your work with neon?

After university, I set up my own neon bending studio following a neon class I took at the Canberra Glassworks with Richard Wheater. I have been doing my own research into neon's history and techniques ever since.

Have you worked with a mentor or influential figure?

I am very lucky to live in a city full of glassmakers. Here, I met Matt Curtis and Harriet Schwarzrock, and worked at their studio as an assistant for many years. I am constantly inspired by their practice and explorations into the material. I am grateful to get a glimpse of their exceptional lives.

Emeirely Nucifora-Ryan is a rising star: she began her career in 2019

Works

©Davey Barber

©Rob Little

©Rob Little

©Davey Barber

Where