Inspired by experiences in the natural world for many years now, Clare Belfrage has forged an international reputation for her distinguished work with detailed and complex glass drawing on blown glass forms. Clare has maintained a vibrant practice for over thirty years. She is a founding member of blue pony in Adelaide and played a pivotal role at the Canberra Glassworks as Creative Director from 2009 to 2013.
In addition to Australia, Clare regularly exhibits in North America, Europe, Hong Kong and New Zealand. Her work has been recognised for its innovation and originality, and has been awarded the Tom Malone Prize at the Art Gallery of Western Australia twice, the FUSE Glass Prize for Australian and New Zealand Glass, and in 2018 Clare was honoured as the South Australian Living Artist feature artist and subject of the festival’s monograph. Clare was also JamFactory Icon 2018,
presenting a solo exhibition for a three-year national tour.
Clare’s work is represented in major public collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Corning Museum of Glass, USA, Tacoma Museum of Glass, USA, Ebeltoft Glass Museum, Denmark,
Castello Sforzesco Museum, Italy and the Nijima Glass Museum, Japan.
Clare is an Adjunct Professor with UniSA Creative at
the University of South Australia.
Maintaining my connection to the natural world seems as important as ever but perhaps with a new kind of urgency attached. I am moved and inspired by forces in nature that are quiet and gentle, powerful and profound.
I am looking at the surface of things again. Skin. A familiar looking, coming in close – bark, lichen, moss – but a different focus. I’m drawn to patterns and rhythms and what it is they tell. How does a skin describe a life lived? It holds an expression of growth and of ageing. It is a barrier and a story.
Clare Belfrage, August 2020
