“I wanted to learn glass from my grandmother as a way of creating a shared history with her. She’s extremely technical and a perfectionist, which is kind of the opposite of my style, so we definitely clashed at times. But the whole exercise was about building that connection and having her share her knowledge with me. I never expected it to become my career. I just wanted something that belonged to both of us. But somewhere along the way, I fell in love with glass.
In 2020, I built my own little studio under the house and started making pieces at home. I was making work because I loved it, not because I thought it would become a business. Over time, people began asking if they could buy my work, and that’s really how Lawn Bowls was born.
Kitsch is often dismissed as unserious, but I’ve always loved it for its playfulness, colour, and accessibility. Unlike the precision and formality of traditional stained glass, my work embraces humour and looseness. That contrast is intentional- a way to open up the medium and let it thrive in a more contemporary, everyday context.
I don’t plan the faces or compositions. Instead, I assemble pieces and let the material lead me. Sometimes, you don’t have full control, and you just play with how the glass might cut. Once the work goes into the kiln, it changes again -the glass moves, melts, and often surprises me. Opening the kiln feels like meeting a new character; it’s where the work becomes its own thing.
Lately, I’ve found myself drawn to teaching. It’s funny how that connects back to how it all started, with my own search into women’s oral histories. Most people who come to my workshops are women, so the space naturally becomes one of shared knowledge and exchange. I never expected to want to be a teacher, but I’ve really enjoyed it. It feels like a full circle, I learned from my grandmother, and now I’m passing that knowledge on to others."
Shop Lawn Bowls at MoB Shop
Images 1 & 2: Museum of Brisbane
Image 3: Ghina N
Image 4 & 5: Museum of Brisbane