Through a glass brightly

Garry Nash is looking forward to a change of direction. Picture / Dean Purcell

After being told by his parents when he was young that art was a waste of time and not to take it at school, Garry Nash hadn't planned to become an artist.

But he did not let this stand in his way of being a pioneer in the art of glass-blowing.

"It just hit me I had to do it or else my life would be a misery," he says.

Born in Sydney, Nash moved to New Zealand in 1973 to see his father. Although he did a paper on art history at Auckland University, he has no formal education in the industry. Instead, he set his own curriculum by going to drawing and photography classes, and is still teaching himself theory.

Nash has had a huge influence on glass-blowing in New Zealand for more than 25 years. "I wanted to be a pioneer so there would be no hierarchy to work my way up in, but the downside was that there was nomarket.

"I was a rebel, I wanted something new but I paid the price of living like a student for 20 years."

Nash says it has been an amazing roller-coaster ride but he enjoys doing something he is good at. And others obviously agree because in 2001 Nash received an OBE for his services to the art.

Nash's exhibition comprises the last pieces from his large vase collection, an era he is happy to be moving from. "I work a series until I can't change it any more then I move on."

Now he is concentrating on smaller pieces with complex techniques. He will also look at combinations of metal and glass, which he says is a huge technical feat.

His art is based on things he sees and feels, inspired by periods of his life. Nash admits he is not a good writer and says more than 50 per cent of the world is illiterate.

"Their world is a world of images so it seems valid my art is a world without words, only visual records."

He draws inspiration from theories of art, such as the aesthetic philosophies of Paul Klee and Mondrian. "Paul Klee says you should work out your own symbol, or visual language." This is why only one of his pieces has a title.

Nash's philosophy is to try not to make his art too personal; it has to be relevant to the world. He wants to tell the story of a particular period of his life.

"It has to appeal to people, so if you saw it in an inorganic dump, you would want to pick it up."

He also tries not to analyse his work too much. He goes to work every day and does the next thing he visualises. "If I think about it too much, doubt interferes and it's inhibiting."

Nash's vibrant colours certainly capture the eye. He says New Zealand glass art is hard to distinguish from work done in other countries, but that will become more apparent in years to come. He can see small differences, such as the stronger bases his vases have in case of an earthquake. Australian pieces are more delicate.

Nash admits the art industry is not an easy one to be in. "There is a lot of negativity, people will always say your work is rubbish ... some believe it and leave, and others stay."

He says you can't go into the industry seeking fame, and believes it can take up to 10 years to gain serious recognition.

"I'm not trying to be anything, but every now and then you get an article or something on TV. You don't pursue fame, you just do what you do and let the people decide if they like your work."

* Garry Nash Private Collection Exhibition at Milford Galleries, 26 Kitchener St, to July 16