Greg Swinburne

Greg Swinburne was born and raised in Whanganui. He studied at Northland Polytech, graduating with a diploma of Applied Arts Sculpture in 1998. He then completed further study at Whanganui Polytech towards a BFA in Glass and Dip Glass Design, graduating in 2002. Greg has been a studio assistant to Peter Viesnik, Lynden Over, Emma Camden, David Murray and Katie Brown. 

Greg is inspired by Japanese art and this influence reflects in his work. In Japanese arts there is a close connection between disciplines, and so he was able to draw on several different practices to achieve his desired aesthetic. He is mainly inspired by gardens, ikebana and calligraphy.

Gregs approach is from a sculptural perspective, where form and line are all important and function does not influence the design. He uses the vessels as a painter uses a canvas, as a means to display the carved patterns and designs. The main design elements running through his work are that of line and form. Colour and texture are secondary and subservient. Gregs exploration of the relationship between the forms he creates, and the lines made by cutting into them is ongoing.

'My approach to glass is from a sculptural mindset. The Offering sculptures originally had the subtitle “sculpture for a zen garden” and the vessels and bowls employ similar visual language to the sculptures.' - Greg Swinburne