2021 Grad Show

Don Barker

AUArts Grad Show 4BE818F8-7CC9-4AE7-8817-C6F1B4A4F237_1_201_a

Glass


My artistic practice explores the use of colour, line and repeating patterns to express visual movement and flow. I design and create two-dimensional glass patterns which are further shaped and formed into even more stunning three-dimensional works of art. Each of my pieces is a process of discovery, which I want the viewer to experience when looking at the work. I create art as a social engagement which provides me with an opportunity to learn about new subjects, explore new ideas and concepts, and share these experiences with others and in doing so, have a more rewarding and interesting life.

Spring Time 2020, Fused Glass Vase and Bowl, 5 x 5 x 7.5 in., 10 x 10 X 2 in. Intricate fused glass patterns composed of glass threads. Made to brighten up your year.
Tupos 2020, Fused Glass Vessel and Plate, 5 x 5 x 5 in., 7.8 x 7.8 x 1 in. Tupos is a biblical greek word for pattern and molded. My Tupos was created from a selection of glass pattern bars which were allowed to flow and take shape within molds in the kiln.
Bud Vases 2019, Fused Glass, 2 x 2 X 5.5 in. Playful selection of delicate vessels.
Three Amigos 2020. Fused Glass Drop Out Vessels, 5 x 5 x 7 in. A selection of three of drop out vessels which helped me on the path to graduation.

PaiRings

Pretty things that belong together.

PaiRings AUArts Grad Show 3B1FF80E-ED9B-4FB0-8A4B-D9F03E248AD6_1_201_a
Spring Time 2020, Fused Glass Vase and Bowl, 5 x 5 x 7.5 in., 10 x 10 X 2 in.
Intricate fused glass patterns composed of glass threads.
Made to brighten up your year.
PaiRings AUArts Grad Show 58C84893-04ED-4FA9-A995-1ED1D77C9DAE_1_201_a
Tupos 2020, Fused Glass Vessel and Plate, 5 x 5 x 5 in., 7.8 x 7.8 x 1 in.
Tupos is a biblical greek word for pattern and molded. My Tupos was created from a selection of glass pattern bars which were allowed to flow and take shape within molds in the kiln.
PaiRings AUArts Grad Show 59FDE249-929E-4304-85AE-3CAC6C5C7018
Bud Vases 2019, Fused Glass, 2 x 2 X 5.5 in.
Playful selection of delicate vessels.
PaiRings AUArts Grad Show 1D5FB807-B256-40EB-91A1-D0A3359A3C66
Three Amigos 2020. Fused Glass Drop Out Vessels, 5 x 5 x 7 in.
A selection of three of drop out vessels which helped me on the path to graduation.
Volcano 2018, Fused Glass Crackle Bowl and Platter, 12 x 12 x 2 in., 13 x 13 x .25 in. This fused glass powder piece was a winner in the AUArts President's Student Exhibition 2019 and was purchased by AUArts for the President's collection. Volcano was created to represent the power and beauty of one our world's most destructive and powerful forces.
Pebble Beach 2018, Fused Glass Reactive Crackle Bowl and Platter, 12 x 12 x 2 in., 13 x 13 x .25 in.
Thin Blue Line 2020, Fused Glass Powders, 12 x 12 x 2 in., 13 x 13 x .25 in.

Discovery

Discovery AUArts Grad Show 34C9FC84-3A0D-4918-942B-BF7B5D15864C_1_201_a
Volcano 2018, Fused Glass Crackle Bowl and Platter, 12 x 12 x 2 in., 13 x 13 x .25 in.
This fused glass powder piece was a winner in the AUArts President's Student Exhibition 2019 and was purchased by AUArts for the President's collection. Volcano was created to represent the power and beauty of one our world's most destructive and powerful forces.
Discovery AUArts Grad Show 848CD9A1-C0A7-4943-AF40-B7DF11EEF0E6_1_201_a
Pebble Beach 2018, Fused Glass Reactive Crackle Bowl and Platter, 12 x 12 x 2 in., 13 x 13 x .25 in.
Discovery AUArts Grad Show 05EA3BA3-8C6F-4DB4-A73A-D5EF348ACBC2
Thin Blue Line 2020, Fused Glass Powders, 12 x 12 x 2 in., 13 x 13 x .25 in.
To Be Ce Continued 2019, Ceramic Vessel 5 x 5 x 7 in., Wood Fired. The pandemic cut short plans and opportunities for many people. This vessel was one of the last ceramic pieces that I was able to produce at AUArts, however the piece also demonstrates the rich beauty and opportuniities that are formed from fire, ash and perseverance.

I Will Return

Ceramic Wood Fired Pots

I Will Return AUArts Grad Show FC8339AB-5D95-4C64-A8A4-D0EEF96894E5
To Be Ce Continued 2019, Ceramic Vessel 5 x 5 x 7 in., Wood Fired.
The pandemic cut short plans and opportunities for many people. This vessel was one of the last ceramic pieces that I was able to produce at AUArts, however the piece also demonstrates the rich beauty and opportuniities that are formed from fire, ash and perseverance.
My Kaleidoscopic World 2020, Fused Glass Cane/Murrine Bowls and Round Box, 22 x 22 x 4.5 cm. The small jar, compossed of glass murrine, in the center of the display represents my "Thought Box". The thought box is where you can safely store your positive and negative emotions. The six kaleidoscopic bowls represent my unseen world that is contained within my thought box. The thought box explores my world as an artist with aphantasia. Only through the creative process am I able to visualize what my mind's eye cannot see.
My Kaleidoscopic World - Detail Sparkly Ooooooo Ahhhhhh
Ooooooo Ahhhhhh Duo. 2020, Fused Glass Vessels, 6 x 6 x 7 in. Expressive contempary fused glass drop outs.
Ooooooo Ahhhhhh Duo - Detail.
Star Burst 2021, Fused Glass, 5 x 5 x 4 in. Vitrigraph inspired drop out vessel.
Star Burst - Detail before forming Inside of the Star Bust bowl before shaping in the kiln.

Ooooo Ahhhhh

Things that make you say Ooooo Ahhhhh

Ooooo Ahhhhh AUArts Grad Show E26C5E6C-E9C8-44A5-840E-5B2E9CF338E3_1_201_a
My Kaleidoscopic World 2020, Fused Glass Cane/Murrine Bowls and Round Box, 22 x 22 x 4.5 cm.
The small jar, compossed of glass murrine, in the center of the display represents my "Thought Box". The thought box is where you can safely store your positive and negative emotions. The six kaleidoscopic bowls represent my unseen world that is contained within my thought box. The thought box explores my world as an artist with aphantasia. Only through the creative process am I able to visualize what my mind's eye cannot see.
Ooooo Ahhhhh AUArts Grad Show 8CFD71C9-D18E-4042-8256-94441EC7F0D0
My Kaleidoscopic World - Detail Sparkly Ooooooo Ahhhhhh
Ooooo Ahhhhh AUArts Grad Show B8B49CB6-15E6-4511-B137-579CE8F47267_1_201_a
Ooooooo Ahhhhhh Duo. 2020, Fused Glass Vessels, 6 x 6 x 7 in.
Expressive contempary fused glass drop outs.
Ooooo Ahhhhh AUArts Grad Show 0A05F9A6-7342-4F1B-A6C1-3C4CAE09F955
Ooooooo Ahhhhhh Duo - Detail.
Ooooo Ahhhhh AUArts Grad Show F0DC166C-26D0-4F4F-B9C6-B0AE2C82ED42_1_201_a
Star Burst 2021, Fused Glass, 5 x 5 x 4 in.
Vitrigraph inspired drop out vessel.
Ooooo Ahhhhh AUArts Grad Show 408D88C7-1A55-4113-97CD-9F787C13908D
Star Burst - Detail before forming Inside of the Star Bust bowl before shaping in the kiln.
Celebrate Your Curves and Edges 2020, Fused Glass Stringer Platter with Tall Murrine Vessels, 30 x 30 x 5 cm, 18.5 x 13 cm. Celebrating the beauty in all people. Glass, like people, can have beautiful curves and hard edges which make it unique. The tall murrine vessels were created from an intricate glass pattern, which was alowed to flow and transform into an even more beautiful unique shape. People, like glass, are beautiful no matter what shape they are.
Light at the End of The Tunnel 2020, Fused Glass Vessel and Plater, 5 x 5 x 7 in., 12 X 4 X 1 in. Finding beauty during a pandemic.
The Third Wave. 2021, Fused Glass Platter, 12 x 12 X 1 in. Still finding beauty in the second year of the pandemic.
Candy Cane 2020, Blown Glass, 4 x 4 x 4 in. Twisted cane, rolled up and blown out. Winner 2020 AUArts Presidents Challenge.

OPticS

Visual Eye Candy

OPticS AUArts Grad Show E48DF210-03C6-498E-9157-8023F9AD1270_1_201_a
Celebrate Your Curves and Edges 2020, Fused Glass Stringer Platter with Tall Murrine Vessels, 30 x 30 x 5 cm, 18.5 x 13 cm.
Celebrating the beauty in all people. Glass, like people, can have beautiful curves and hard edges which make it unique. The tall murrine vessels were created from an intricate glass pattern, which was alowed to flow and transform into an even more beautiful unique shape. People, like glass, are beautiful no matter what shape they are.
OPticS AUArts Grad Show B0427F3D-5CE7-47CB-A9B9-B1DC1933B456_1_201_a
Light at the End of The Tunnel 2020, Fused Glass Vessel and Plater, 5 x 5 x 7 in., 12 X 4 X 1 in.
Finding beauty during a pandemic.
OPticS AUArts Grad Show 14F9A303-9B41-4A34-A50E-F88DEDBF6104_1_201_a
The Third Wave. 2021, Fused Glass Platter, 12 x 12 X 1 in.
Still finding beauty in the second year of the pandemic.
OPticS AUArts Grad Show 51400EB1-12ED-459C-AF77-2D29B9204B77
Candy Cane 2020, Blown Glass, 4 x 4 x 4 in.
Twisted cane, rolled up and blown out.
Winner 2020 AUArts Presidents Challenge.

This site may contain artworks with provocative content that some viewers may find uncomfortable or upsetting. AUArts supports a culture of non-censorship and ongoing conversations about contemporary art.