Under glass

If its aim is to inspire audiences with the beauty of the medium, Australian Glass Today (Wakefield Press, $450) has achieved that, and more. The book, edited by curator and design writer Margot Osborne, includes a gallery of gorgeous works by 45 artists, and a handful of pieces reflecting the development of glass Down Under. Authorities on the subject, among them Richard Whiteley and Susanne Frantz, ponder whether Australian glass is distinctively accented or blends into the broader international studio-glass movement. Not surprisingly, landscape is addressed in this regard, namely to what extent it allows Australian artists to claim 'specialness'. The book will be available at major bookstores in Hong Kong as well as at Gaffer Studio Glass (5A, 15/F, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, tel: 2521 1770; www.gafferstudioglass.com), where Osborne will be present for a book launch on May 25 from 7pm to 9pm.