About ‘Pate de verre’?
"Pâte de verre" is a French term that translates to "paste of glass." It refers to a glassmaking technique where finely crushed glass is mixed with a binder to create a paste-like substance. This glass paste is then carefully applied to a mold and fired in a kiln.
Pâte de verre has a rich history dating back to ancient times, with evidence of its use in various cultures around the world, dating as far back as the Egyptians. However, it gained significant prominence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements in Europe.
“After bronze glass is mans’s second oldest material and more to the point glass pate de verre faience used to duplicate lapis lazuli in ancient Egypt to adorn and bejewel furniture, glorious head dresses and large impressive beaded chest and shoulder shrouds for the living and the dead.
Glass was rated in ancient times second to gold, a closely guarded secret passed between each generation of family that gave them great wealth and prestige. Glass was so precious that none of their techniques were ever recorded, even with the invention of glass blowing, where and when?
All ancient glass pieces even the kilns to make glass where never recorded in any ancient culture.”
— Peter Crisp
The artists
Peter Crisp OAM
“For service to the creative arts, particularly as a glass sculptor”.
Bachelor of Visual Arts, Postgraduate Diploma of Visual Arts, Sydney College of Arts University of Sydney Glass, after bronze, is man’s second oldest manufactured material. Add heat and you can transform it to virtually anything you want. Studio pieces, tableware, limited edition, museum pieces, design and exclusive manufacturing for Asprey of New Bond Street , Thomas Goode , Harrods, Maryse Boxer, Rosenthal of London UK. In the United States of America the same for Barneys of New York, Bergdorf Goodman/ Neiman Marcus, Tiffany and Co. Exclusive design work and making for Coca Cola Amatil and Bacardi Bombay Sapphire Gin. Peter Crisp has held over 120 major exhibitions around the world, held in PowerHouse Museum Sydney, National Gallery of Victoria, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Queensland Art Gallery, National Glass Collection Australia, Rheinbach Glasmuseum Germany, Glasmuseum Ebeltoft Denmark. Creativity is each and every person’s greatest gift. The challenge is to make these ideas and dreams a reality.
Jimmi Hayward
Jimmi, an Australian artist residing in Amsterdam, boasts a rich tapestry of architectural and design expertise infused with cutting-edge technology. His academic journey spans continents, earning a Bachelor of Architecture from RMIT, Australia, and an M.Sc. in Integrative Technologies and Architectural Design Research from Germany.
Immersing himself in the realm of design and architecture, James studied under masters Kengo Kuma and Shigiru Ban in Tokyo back in 2017. This experience sculpted his perception, nurturing a profound sensitivity towards materiality and proportion.
Jimmi pursued advanced studies in Stuttgart, Germany, delving into robotics, digital methodologies, and human-robot collaborative fabrication. Now in Amsterdam, he pioneers software for sustainable timber modular construction in the architecture industry.
Despite his diverse and enriching experiences, Jimmi has embarked on a poignant return to the intimate craft of jewellery. His ongoing collaboration with glass master Peter Crisp marks an exciting foray into the realm of jewellery and glass, where his passion for tactile creation meets the exquisite artistry of fine craftsmanship.