Thomas Barter

Tom Barter is an Auckland based artist who works primarily in glass, his process includes techniques of casting and fusing to create vibrant sculptural forms.

Tom Barter has become well known for his free-standing silhouettes of the Auckland natural icon- Rangitoto. These pieces are created in high quality cast glass incorporating subtle flax textures impressed on the surface.

More recently, Tom Barter has developed a folded paper series that finds its inspiration in origami. To create these works, he takes a form that is typically rendered in ephemeral paper and translates it into luminous glass that will stand the test of time. Working with lost-wax casting techniques, he first carves the sculpture in wax before turning the piece into its final glass form. This whimsical series of work includes folded paper planes, origami games, butterflies, dogs and cranes. The cranes in particular are appreciated for their symbolism, as the act of making origami has become a symbol of hope and healing during challenging times.

Tom Barter gained a BFA from CSU Humboldt, USA. He exhibited in the USA for many years before moving to New Zealand. He now creates his work from his Auckland studio and exhibits his work in select galleries around New Zealand.

My current work is focusing on weaving. The long strands of glass are a reference to the warp of a weaving board. The zig zags and the diamonds are part of the weave created with the warp. In Tangle I am exploring the look of a half woven work. From the front the pattern is seen. the seen from the side it takes on the quality of tangled strings in a loom. This is the 5th work I have made in the series.