Brenda Page
Glass
Accredited Professional Member
Brenda's initial encounter with glass occurred while she was studying fine art at RMIT. She subsequently transferred to Monash University, where she embarked on a four-year degree in Ceramic Design, majoring in glass, and graduated in 1992. Initially drawn to the dynamic and interactive nature of hot glass studio, Brenda soon realised that her work required a stronger emphasis on the maker's hand. Consequently, she shifted her focus to kiln-formed glass, printmaking, and sculpture.
After graduating, Brenda established studios in various shared artist-run spaces across Melbourne. In 2003, she founded Blue Dog Glass, an open-access studio that has served as a vital hub for Melbourne’s glass community, offering workshops centred on best practices in glass art. Brenda has consistently prioritised elevating glass practices, advocating for high industry standards and innovation. At Blue Dog Glass, she has hosted numerous international artists, organised professional workshops, and led artist retreats worldwide.
Brenda has exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally. Notable solo exhibitions include Craft Victoria, National Glass Centre, and Gabriel Gallery. She has been a finalist in several prestigious awards, including the Tom Malone Prize, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize, Deakin Small Sculpture Award, Experimental Print Prize, Hobart Art Prize, New Glass Review, and Yering Station Sculpture Award. Brenda has received several significant accolades, including the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award for Sculpture, Yering Station Sculpture Award, and the Walker Street Gallery Award.
Brenda's work explores our relationship with existence, prompting contemplation of life's finite nature and the inevitability of death. The unidirectional path of life, filled with both chaos and abundance, serves as a constant theme in Brenda’s practice. Drawn to Victorian memento mori aesthetics, Brenda purposefully incorporates these stylised elements throughout her work—a nod to an era where death was openly discussed and memorialised.
Brenda works sculpturally across various mediums, with a focus on glass as a primary vehicle for her storytelling. She works with cast, fused, and blown glass forms, using them as substrates for her painted and screen-printed elements. Her imagery is both precisely applied and spontaneously created, drawing heavily on manipulated vintage photographs and spontaneous mark-making, ensuring the maker’s hand remains evident. Brenda incorporates elements such as hand-sewn components and sculpted waxes for lost wax casting, emphasising her methodical approach. Occasionally, she incorporates unconventional materials, including found objects and human hair, to further enhance the narrative.
Online Resources:
Website: https://www.brendapage.com.au
Instagram: @brenda_page1