RAY GANNON
Maker of "TINGS". Ray retired from the University of Qld where he was
Director of Queensland Glass Centre, to re-pursue personal art projects,
including supporting three very talented kids in their chosen art field.
Prior to migrating from the UK to Australia in 1989 under the Business
Migration (Special Abilities) Programme, Ray had his own successful
glass design & fabrication studio called THE CRYSTAL FORGE. As well as
being technical design consultant for many national and international
companies including Whitefriars Glass London, Caithness Glass
Paperweights Scotland, Marconi Guidance Systems Hampshire, he was
consultant to BBC Television London (Props & Technical Devices), and has
three international patents granted.
His artistic glasswork was sold in Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, Liberty and
Heals in the UK and many major stores in America , including Marshall
Field in Chicago as well as being in prominent private collections in
the UK, Middle East and Germany.
After many years studying extensively in the UK, Ray became a Journeyman
and furthered his studies at Corning Glass New York (including Alfred
University & Stueben Glass); M.I.T Boston; Orrefors Glass Sweden;
Lalique France; Venini Glass Venice; Royal Dutch Glass Works Leerdam
Holland. He then went on to tutor at Royal College of Art London and to
lecture in glass sciences at Isleworth Polytechnic London.
He NOW spends his time with his alter ego AXEL HEUER enthusiastically
making "The Emmet and Emily Hobnagel Series" of unique encapsulated
sculptured glass caricatures. He is also 'manufacturing' consultant to
daughter Malaika's perfume and fashion accessory business and mentor to
his artistic sons Tam and Jaime.
He is currently preparing a study for an important major public
sculpture in the form of a contemporary Standing Stone (Megalith) within
the First Settlement City (Redcliffe). He also enjoys designing and
making unusual objet d'art for Brilliant Facets Jewellery & Fine Art
Gallery; and sometimes, reluctantly accepting challenging commissions!!
