After discovering the glassblowing studio at Monash University in the final year of Charlotte Ward’s bachelor’s degree, she realised her sculptural practice was about to take a new direction. Initially captivated by the use of light as a medium, she found hot glass to be a uniquely malleable material—one that could bend and direct light in unexpected ways—expanding her installation work into a new realm.
This discovery led her to explore other forms of glassmaking, including stained glass and kiln-forming techniques at Melbourne Polytechnic, as well as neon workshops at Cole’s Neon Shop in Bayswater. Ward is currently involved with various glassblowing studios around Melbourne and has previously worked in several studios across South-East Queensland.
She finds great joy in the inherent difficulty of the medium and embraces the rewarding challenge of developing a glass practice. Through this exploration, Ward has become part of the broader Australian glass community—an experience that has further affirmed her chosen path.
With the foundation of Charlotte Ward’s work rooted in the use of light, her practice draws inspiration from the experience of perception. This concept is deeply influenced by artists such as James Turrell and Olafur Eliasson, whose explorations of light and space have expanded her understanding of what installation art can be.
Beyond these artistic influences, Ward finds inspiration in patterns found in nature, the mystery of the subconscious, and the universal life force from which all things emerge.
Work of art you would love to see? Roden Crater by James Turrell
Last exhibition you went to? Speculative Future by Billy Crellin at Craft Victoria
If you had a spare $5000, what Australian pieces would you buy? One of Harriet Schwarzrock’s plasma hearts
Which living Australian artist do you admire? All the glass artists just trying to do their thing
Best advice from a teacher/mentor? Look twice as much as you draw
One piece of advice you’d give your younger self? Don’t let others disrupt your path
What are you currently reading? In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté
Are you binge watching anything? Couples Therapy on SBS
Your go to art website? Olafur Eliasson’s website – olafureliasson.net + The Corning Museum of Glass – cmog.org
Latest inspo? patterns in nature, music and energy