Exhibitions

Sabbia Gallery is pleased to present this solo exhibition of new works in glass by Tom Rowney.

Tom Rowney is renowned as one of the most accomplished glass blowers in Australia with over thirty years’ experience in the field. He has perfected his skills and is inspired by traditional Venetian techniques which have been a constant source of exploration. The combination of precision and pattern used to create a magnificent piece of glass is something he continuously strives for. Rowney is passionate and inspired by the physical nature of blowing glass. His practice is based on learning, refining, and adapting Venetian glass blowing processes in combination with his joy of making beautifully crafted objects. This is evident when watching him work from his studio based at the Canberra Glassworks.

Rowney currently resides in regional New South Wales and is also employed as the Technical Director at Canberra Glassworks. As one of Australia’s foremost glass blowers Rowney continues to be sought after for teaching and fabrication projects by the leading glass studios and artists in Australia and overseas. His works have been collected by the National Gallery of Australia, National Glass Collection – Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Powerhouse Museum, Australian Catholic University Collection, and the Tacoma Museum of Glass (USA). Rowney is represented by Beaver Galleries, Canberra and Sabbia Gallery, Sydney.

For more than three decades, I have been inspired by the rich traditions of Venetian glassmaking. My work draws from the history of the craft, blending classical techniques with contemporary influences to explore the qualities of glass—transparency, opacity, and the interplay of bold, colourful combinations. These works invite the viewer to engage closely with each piece, discovering the nuances of the pattern within the form.

My glass journey began at Budgeree glass factory in Port Adelaide, run by Nick Mount. In these new works, I am referencing forms I saw being made while working at the Factory, the ones that really caught my eye. I have been looking for these pieces, and sometimes find them in op shops. This practice of looking back is not for nostalgia, but is a conscious effort to understand where I began and how far I have come in my own artistic glassblowing path.

In my work, I have focused on expanding the traditional murrini technique. In this way it allows me to create pieces that are both a homage to the past and a contemporary twist on the skill that I have spent decades learning. My aim is to create beautiful, decorative objects that provide the viewer with a sense of wonder, prompting the question—how did he make that?

Tom Rowney, 2024