DOMINIC O’LEARY

kiln-formed glass

Dominic O’Leary has been creating glass pieces using kiln-forming, the oldest form of glass work, for the last thirty years. Learning the craft in the mid-90s, from one of Australia’s leading glass artists of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, Graham Stone. Dominic went on to forge a successful career, placing and selling his work in galleries and designer stores in Melbourne, Geelong and along the Surf Coast, including the prestigious glass gallery Kirra, at Federation Square in Melbourne. In the early 2000’s Dominic studied at the glass faculty at Monash University and undertook further study with Graham Stone, exploring glass casting. He has also been commissioned to create works, including an installation at the library of Monash University, Caulfield campus, and lamp shades for a Melbourne architect.

In 2014, Dominic and his wife, Inge, moved to Birregurra and he took a few years away from his glass work, resuming 4-5 years ago. At the resumption of his glass work, Dominic decided to delve into the use of art glass, which comes in a broad palate of colour. Prior to this he had worked in clear float glass, adding all colour and texture himself. The new range, imported from the USA and Mexico is a mix of vibrant translucent and opalescent hand-made glasses. This switch in material has brought with it the need to revisit all of the technical data he uses in the process, as each type of glass has its own, very specific, range of firing temperatures that must be adhered to, otherwise firings will be unsuccessful.

On the creative side, these new art glasses have awakened the design aspect of the work. In much of his work, Dominic attempts to incorporate his love of the Art-Deco period in colour and pattern, creating the need, at times, for complex drawings before the glass stage.