Shifting horizons: Exploring the intersection of landscape and human experience in the evolving realm of sustainable glassmaking.

Within the field of glass art, there exists a shared collective interest in exploring the interplay between landscape and human experience, within sustainable glass practice. Many makers are driven by a deep connection to place and a belief that the place where something is made can influence the production of a crafted object. These objects often carry embedded knowledge, reflecting the environment from which they emerge and are inherently linked to the natural world. This paper will speak to reveal a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between humans, nature, and the things we create. Reviewing crafted objects not just as isolated artifacts but as objects intimately linked to the contexts from which they emerge. Amidst the currents of change that define our current context, it is imperative that as makers we carefully examine and renew our own creative craft practices. In our post-industrial era, the world has undergone profound changes marked by instability and uncertainty. The conceptual framework of the Anthropocene states that human activity has fundamentally influenced and irrevocably changed our climate and environment. Industrial practices such as glass making can be viewed as a form of extraction (and exploitation) of natural resources and materials. This issues a serious call out to for makers to demonstrate the urgent need for new sustainable and alternative methodological approaches to glass making.

As a sustainable material, glass stands out, with a natural composition it is infinitely recyclable and when appropriately cleaned and sorted as a material glass can offer sustainable solutions that actively reduce environmental impact. A movement towards sustainable and locally sourced materials is apparent in the work of many glass makers. However, makers are not just driven by ecological concerns but also by an acknowledgement of the unique qualities of materials and resources sourced from specific regions and places. Makers are increasingly seeking to imbue their creations with a sense of place, exploring the inherent properties and stories of the materials they use. In turn, many makers are inspired by darker histories, linked to past historical and cultural events - such as colonialism, material extraction, deforestation, and the exploitation of natural resources. The production of new and emerging glass works that respond to this theme will be discussed as a series of case studies within this paper. Glass artists such as Gregory Alliss, Carrie Fertig, Sean Fraser, Jesamy Kelly, Inge Panneels, Pinkie McClure, and Jeff Zimmer who explore human experience and the impact of humanity on the natural world through their glass work. Finally, this paper will examine how creative expression can amplify voices and inspire meaningful change in our approaches and relationships to glass making. It will also highlight the profound role of glass as a medium for makers to articulate their environmental concerns and the impact of their work as a powerful form of craft activism, particularly in advocating for climate action.