Greg Smith began working with Glass in 1985 at Avalon Glass on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. In 1998 he was awarded a QE11 Arts Council Grant to study with Ann Robinson and Garry Nash at Sunbeam Glassworks. In 1995 he was awarded a QEII Arts Council Emerging Artists Study Grant which he used to study with Prof. Boyce Lundstrom, co-creator of Bullseye Fusable Glass, at his factory/studio in Southern California. During his time there Greg was immersed in all aspects of kiln glass-working. On his return from the United States Greg worked on a series of cast glass disc pendants with Kobi Bosshard and began a series of Ritual Blades, made in open cast moulds, cold worked and hand finished.
In 1997 Greg was selected with one other NZ Glass Artist to be a Finalist in the RFC Glass Awards in Australia. the two pieces selected were a Ritual Blade and an Armband. In 1998 Ornament, the U.S. Quarterly, featured his work, and in 1999 two pieces from his collaboration with Kobi were selected as finalists for the RFC.
Despite making a career change into the film industry and acting, he has always retained his interest in working as an artist using both hot glass and kiln glass, and has maintained his access to facilities which have now allowed him to immerse himself fully again in his enduring desire to make objects in glass.
"My approach to jewellery has always been to work with the simple forms. The blade and the disc are my mediums of expression and I try to bring life and interest with my use of the material of glass."
From 2023
Pendant - Orange agate PI DISC diameter 50mm $320
Pendant - Blue Pakohe PI DISC diameter 60mm $320
Pendant - Orange agate PI DISC diameter 50mm $320
Orange pieces come with dark green cords, blue piece with black cord
Pendant - Orange agate BLADE length 115mm $320
Pendant - Blue Pakohe BIRD BLADE length 115mm $320
Pendant - Orange agate BLADE length 115mm $320
Orange pieces come with dark green cords, blue piece with black cord
Pi Disc Glass Pendants on nylon cords $220 each
Green canes, 36mm diameter
Blue canes, 56mm diameter
Orange, 48mm diameter
Blade Pendants on nylon cords $250 each
Orange Lava, 100mm long
Bird, blue canes, 104mm long
Green canes, 100mm long
Midnight Oasis, 195mm long
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