DESIGN Canberra 2019: Into the Distance

Posted on 23 October, 2019

From the moment Charles Lewis Tiffany opened Tiffany & Co in New York City in 1837, it was clear he had a discerning eye for design.

This ability to judge quality pieces continues to the present-day, with Tiffany & Co flagship stores in Melbourne, Sydney and Hong Kong currently displaying the work of Canberra glass artist, Lisa Cahill.

A local Canberran, Lisa is known nationally and internationally for her kiln-formed glass sculptures and installations, including numerous public art commissions.

In addition to Tiffany & Co, her work can be in be found in public collections and commercial and private residences in Australia, the United States, Denmark and France.

“I grew up all over—my Dad was in the army and my Mum is Danish, so we travelled a lot. I’ve always had a yearning to travel, so when I was 18 I left Canberra and travelled the world. I returned to Canberra via Sydney and Melbourne, about eight years ago,” says Lisa.

Lisa’s glasswork connects urban architecture and her love for the natural landscape, and also reflects the transient nature of her well-travelled life.

“I’m drawn to the oceans and the mountains as inspiration for my work but, because I travel so much, things seem to pass me by so quickly and I try to incorporate that into my work too.”

“I also love the cityscape. I love big, old buildings and if I see patterns in the ground or weathering in the concrete, I can see a landscape and those inspirations tend to go into my painted panels.

Tiffany and Co’s Sydney flagship store with Lisa Cahill’s piece. Image supplied.

“My folded glassworks, I call them my ‘crinkles panels’, are meant to appear as if a gust of wind has arrived and blown them off the wall. They represent the fact that life is really fleeting and that these are moments in time. I hope people take that from my work.”

Lisa uses a variety of techniques in her work, including enamelling, etching, engraving, lathe working and carving through both opaque and transparent layers of glass. She manipulates and controls light, revealing an intensity of colour and evoking notions of an ephemeral landscape.

Lucky Canberrans will be able to bid for one of Lisa’s evocative pieces at DESIGN Canberra’s Auction Party on Friday 8 November.

“My piece for the DESIGN Canberra auction is my newest work ‘Into the Distance’, inspired by the mountains surrounding Canberra,” says Lisa.

Lisa Cahill, Into the Distance. Credit: Anisa Sabet.

“These new pieces are three layers of glass, with each glass painted separately. It’s framed in a box frame, so when you look at it you have this sense of the mountains that continue into the distance.

“It looks like a traditional painting but when you get closer, you see that it’s layers of glass so you can see into the work,” she says.

For those curious to see how such works are created, one of the many highlights of the 2019 DESIGN Canberra Festival are the Open Studios.

This is a chance for the public to visit the studios of Canberra’s best designers and makers to purchase contemporary handmade ceramics, furniture, textiles, glass and more directly from the artists.

“This year I purchased a warehouse in Fyshwick that I’m converting into a studio. I’m madly renovating to be ready to host an Open Studio on 16 and 17 November as part of DESIGN Canberra. I can’t wait to welcome Canberrans to my new space.”

“DESIGN Canberra has been phenomenal. It’s just grown from year to year. To be involved in DESIGN Canberra gives an artist credibility. Craft ACT works so hard to make it happen and thanks to them, I think it’s been great for everyone,” says Lisa.

The DESIGN Canberra Festival is giving design lovers the chance to purchase their own piece of contemporary Canberra design at the festival’s third annual design auction.

A previous DESIGN Canberra Auction Party. Credit: 5foot Photography.

The online auction opens on 1 November at 6 pm. The DESIGN Canberra 2019 festival auction party kicks off a week later on Friday 8 November at 8 pm—celebrating the best of Canberra design and officially launching the festival.

The Fitters Workshop in Kingston will come alive for the party with music, experimental lighting design, food and local wines, local brews and spirits.

Bids will close around 9:30 pm, giving discerning bidders the chance to take home their own unique piece of Tiffany-worthy handcrafted creative work.

Tickets are available at: Design Auction Party.

Online auction items are available to view at 32auctions.com/designcanberra2019 and there are also instructions on how to bid.

HerCanberra is a proud media partner of DESIGN Canberra 2019.