Mel Douglas

Glassblower

Speaking in fine lines and bold forms

Mel studied glass through to a PhD at the Australian National University
She combines glassblowing, coldworking and engraving techniques
Her works are subtle expressions of three-dimensional drawing

Mel Douglas is one of Australia's most renowned glass artists. She honed her skills and vision at the Australian National University, where she completed a PhD. Her works are abstract forms that are painstakingly engraved with fine lines which produces a mesmerising effect. Mel's works create a fluid relation between convex and concave forms that evoke interior and exterior spaces. She has won many prizes, such as the Ebeltoft International Young Glass Award, Ranamok and Tom Malone Prizes, as well as being a finalist for the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize. Her work is in many collections, including the Corning Museum of Glass. Mel has been passing on her knowledge to apprentices and students since the early 2000s.

Interview

Why did you choose this craft?: I was drawn to the qualities of glass – its transparency, light-capturing properties and endless possibilities for creativity. It felt like the perfect medium for me to express myself artistically. Working with glass is a balance between art and science.
Do you master any specific techniques?: I have honed my skills in various glassworking techniques such as kiln-forming, cold-working and working with a team of glass blowers. It is a continuum of learning new skills and ways of expressing ideas. One of the best things about working with glass is that I never feel like a master, always a student.
What are your specialisations?: My specialisation lies in using the unique qualities of the material, and the rich potential of mark-making on and with glass. I use the line as a way to inform, define and enable three-dimensional space.
What was a memorable moment in your professional life?: Often studio mishaps lead to memorable moments. I like to call them opportunities. Incidents that lead to unplanned and sometimes surprising outcomes.

Mel Douglas is a master artisan: she began her career in 2000 and she started teaching in 2001