Canberra Centre & Floriade public art commission by Hannah Gason with Canberra Glassworks 2023. Photo by Ben Calvert.

Meander

Katie-Ann Houghton

showing 3 Apr to 8 Jun 2025

Main Gallery | curated by Aimee Frodsham
Opening event Saturday 5 Apr at 5pm

Glassmaker Katie-Ann Houghton explores the relationship between form and pattern, drawing inspiration from architectural details.

In design, “meander” refers to a continuous, flowing, and interlocking motif, often expressed through linear, decorative lines. For Houghton, the term carries a deeper significance, reflecting both the evolution of her practice and her fascination with urban landscapes. Her work is influenced by time spent wandering through cities, observing interlocking brick patterns, the textures of concrete, and the sharp planes that cast shifting shadows. This meandering path, shaped by experience, time, and the inherent nature of glass, informs works that demand both technical precision and an intuitive understanding of form and beauty.

Katie-Ann Houghton is an artist and designer based in Canberra who specialises in glassblowing. Her work represents a convergence of cultural influences, technical skill, and design sensibility, offering a fresh and unique interpretation of traditional and contemporary glass design.

Houghton’s work challenges the culture of mass consumption by creating pieces with innovative design and handmade quality. Her design philosophy is based around the idea that the objects that we engage with every day should engage our senses and bring us joy through use. Designed to be both functional and practical, her production range, which includes CGW Signature’s Conversion series and Sapphire Vase, aims to change the conventional expectations of tableware and have us view each piece as both a piece of contemporary design and an object of use.

Her practice draws inspiration from both modern Japanese aesthetics and mid-century Italian glassmaking techniques. Central to her work is the exploration of the incalmo technique, which she refined during a recent residency at the Toyama Glass Studio in Japan.

With a background that spans both academic study at Sydney College of the Arts and hands-on apprenticeships at Jam Factory in Adelaide and with American glassblower Joe Cariati, Houghton has cultivated a sophisticated approach to glass art that honours tradition while embracing innovation. Her professional experience includes collaborations with renowned glass artist Mel Douglas and contemporary designer Alex Fitzpatrick. Houghton’s commercial projects include the development of pieces for prestigious brands such as Jardan Furniture and Pernod Ricard.

Currently, Houghton splits her time between her studio at Canberra Glassworks and Sydney College of the Arts, environments that provide both creative inspiration and technical resources. This dual base allows her to maintain connections with different artistic communities while continuing to develop her practice.