Tina Cooper
Hot Glass Artist (Eumundi, QLD)

"Exquisite", "Unique" and "Dramatic "are some of the adjectives used to describe Tina Cooper's glass sculptures. One of the leading figures in Australian Studio glass, she uses Nature - Earth, Fire, Water and Air to create her art, reflecting her passionate relationship with the environment from which she sources her inspiration.

Tina Cooper began her journey into the amazing world of glass blowing when she met Mark Galton. Mark was an accomplished glass blower in his own right and he shared his knowledge with Tina over the years that they were together. She began her apprenticeship in 1990 and has developed her skills in leaps and bounds since then. Today she is recognised as one of the leading glass artists in the world.

Each sculpture is precise in its execution. Ensuring the perfect piece requires Tina to "dance with fire" orchestrating five highly skilled artisans who work in unison to provide hot pieces of glass for her to create her magic. Every part of the process is critical. Each piece is individually hand-made from liquid currents of molten glass drawn from a 1200c furnace and then fused, layered and placed around a vessel.

The "Sea Life" and "Enchanted Forest" series are full of floral and aquatic allusions inspired from the Great Barrier Reef and the beaches and hinterland of the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia. The "Outback" series is a highly expressive fusion of the textures and patterns of the flora and fauna of outback Australia. Many pieces have been made in collaboration with Indigenous Artists. Tina is constantly working with new ideas and Series for her artistic growth and upcoming Exhibitions.

Beyond her technical prowess of hot glass sculpture, it is Tina's ability to impart and leave with the observer her deeply felt responses to Mother Nature, Life, Love and Grief. Tina's creations can be found around the world - in Europe,Japan and the USA.

For information on how to purchase or commission Tina's work, please contact her below or call 0417 194 329 during business hours. Gallery enquiries welcome.

Contact Tina Cooper
Visit Tina Cooper's website

Exhibition History & Background

* 1990
Glass Blower traineeship with Mark Galton Exhibition - Peachester - "Earth and Sea. Let it Be"
Attended - E. O. De Vere Art Show; Multi Media - Maroochydore

* 1991
Tour of UK for research and development visiting three studios
- Langham, Isle of Wright & Adzian Sankey Attended - National Art Show - Brisbane Exhibition - Distel Fink Gallery - Melbourne - as part of Martini Glass Exhibition - Margaret Williams Memorial - Toowoomba

* 1992
1st Prize - Maroochy Art Show - Piece titled "Sunset"
Attended - Craft Show Sydney
Exhibition - Distel Fink Gallery - Melbourne - "Beyond the Realms of Now"

* 1993
Attended - Caloundra Arts Festival
Exhibition - Ritual Cup - Sydney

* 1994
Attended - Caloundra Arts Festival
Exhibition Distel Fink Gallery - Melbourne - "Waves of Time"
Exhibition - Oceans Gallery - Gold Coast Editorial Gold Coast Bulletin Workshop - Hot Glass with Dant Mrioni & Dick Marquis (USA)

* 1995
Group Exhibition - Australian Fine Craft Design Gallery Exhibition - Mary Marks Gallery - Brisbane Attended - Glass in Australia - Meat Market Craft Centre Workshop - Hot Glass with Ruth King (USA) - Canberra

* 1996
Attended - Australian Glass Conference - Canberra Tina Cooper Art Collection Launched Group Exhibition Pottery Association Gallery - Brisbane Editorial - Expressions (July) - Sunshine Coast Sunday Attended - Caloundra Arts Festival

* 1997
Exhibition - Gary Myers Studio - Maleny - "Touch Me I feel You!"
Workshop - Hot Glass with Jane Cowey - QGAA Winter School 1st Prize - Caloundra Arts Festival - Art Glass Award Editorial - Expressions (Dec) - Sunshine Coast Sunday Commission - Peter Hackworth - for New York Latin Restaurant Collector - Mr J Pierce - NSW (2 pieces)

* 1998
Awarded - Professional Development Grant Worked - from Chuck Simpson's Vesta Hot Glass - Eumundi Workshop - William Morris (USA) - Auckland NZ Workshop - Richard Clements (Tas) - QGAA Winter School Guest Artist - Opening of the Tanks Art Gallery - Cairns Export - Glass Canvas Gallery - Florida, USA Research & Development - Langkawi Crystal - Malaysia Worked - from Lucas Salton Studio & Greg Royers Celestial Glass

* 1999
Exhibition - Glass Canvas Gallery - Florida, USA - "Glass Down Under"
G.A.S Conference/Expo/Studio Tour - Florida, USA G.A.S Technical Display - Tampa, Florida USA Workshop - G.A.S Hot Glass with Pino Signoretti, Venetian Master 1st Prize - Maroochy Arts Festival - Glass Art Award Highly Commended - Caloundra Arts Festival - Art Glass Award Export - Hand-painted glass sculpture - sold in Switzerland (Painted by indigenious artist - Nuuna)

* 2000
The Original Aboriginal Art Co. - Tribal Tribute Collection Craft Mark - David Jones Olympic Exhibition - Sydney 2000 Selected - for National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Heritage and Reconciliation Art Portfolio Exhibition - Canberra Attended - Craft Studio - Fox Studios, Sydney

* 2001
Oz Glass launched in Sydney
International Exhibition - Sponsored by Raglan Gallery to represent Australia in SOFA - Chigago USA Collector - Takeshi Inado - Japan (12 pieces) Collector - Mr & Mrs Dawson - UK - Large Sealife Collector - Mr Monette - USA - Sealife Collector - Mr V G Chad - New Zealand - Sealife Collector - K Conaghan - Queensland - Outback & Sealife Collector - J Junee - New South Wales - Sealife Commission - Gail Cleary - 2 Large Sealife Major Galleries - Reef Gallery, Cairns & Hayman Island Galleria

* 2002
Commission - Sheraton Noosa Resort - Sealife Installation Selected Works - bought for CHOGM Delegates - Hyatt Regency, Coolum Beach Collector - Mrs D Widsasa - Singapore - Sealife Collector - Dr Siegfried Genz - Germany - Sealife Collector - Mr Ahmed Al Twaijry - Saudi Arabia - Sealife Collector - Ms Marina Takigawa Sappord - Outback & Enchanted Forest Aarwun Gallery - Canberra - Robert Stephens International Expo of SOFA (Sculpture Objects & Functional Art) - Chicago, Represented by Raglan Gallery- Sydney

* 2003
Gallery - Shed 5 - International Gallery, Maleny - Opened Collector - Peter Buckley - Auckland - Sealife Collector - E M Polter - Adelaide - Sealife Exhibition - Aarwun Gallery , Canberra Exhibition - Abused Child Trust - Freestyle Tout - Rosalie, Brisbane Commission - Bank of Queensland Awards Collector - Gail Cleary - South Frankston - Sealife Collector - Mr & Mrs G Appleby - Brisbane - 11 Sealife

* 2004
Exhibition - Palazzo Versace - Gold Coast - Soul Essence - Guest:- The Prince of Dubai Exhibition - David Hart Gallery - Noosa Heads QLD Exhibition Gallery 6 - Mona Vale - NSW Commission - Betty Byrne-Ford - 2 Enchanted Forest Collector - Mr Carlson - Canada - 2 Sealife and Soul Essence Editorial and Front Cover of Weekender Noosa Collector - GJ Rathgeber - Canada - Sealife and Soul Essence International Outlet - Kela's Gallery - Hawaii USA Studio - Sunshine Hot Glass - Yandina, Queensland Collector - Tony & Margaret Williams - England - Sealife Exhibition Makers Mark - Sydney & Melbourne Noosa Regional Gallery - Elemental II Exhibition - November Launch of New Sunrise Series

* 2005
Conference - G.A.S. and OZ Glass - Adelaide - Workshop with Dick Marquis and Nick Mount.
Commission - Mr.and Mrs.David & Sue Armour,QLD - Sunrise Series.Susan Baranyia,New Zealand - Tribal & Sea Life Series.Mr.Tim Drinnon,California - Sea Life Series. Mrs.Allison Hansen,NSW - Sunrise Series.
Exhibition - Illume Creations,Montville,Qld. -" Unearthed"-Tribal Tribute - 2nd. edition - featuring Wood Artist - Roger Chadwick,Metal Artist - Graeme Higgins. Bead Artist - Gary Lisle,Indigenous Painter - Peter Mulchay. Glass Blowing Team - Tina Cooper,Matt Quirk,Jonathon Westacott & Greg Royer.
Glass Didgeridoo for Adrian Ross - Indigenous Didgeridoo player who has opened the Paralympics.T.V coverage on "7" & "Win 9" Sunshine Coast on its creation.
Editorials - Front page of the Nambour Chronicle. Sunshine Coast Daily. The Range News.The Weekender & Coast Magazine.
Exhibition - Dennis Hunter - Art Entrepreneur - 65 unique pieces from entire series to tour Spain in 2006.
Exhibition - Escape Gallery - newly established Art Gallery in Murwillumbah, NSW, Australia for Exhibition in 2006.
International Request from Dr.Arlene Silvers to participate in the National Liberty Museum,Philadelphia,USA - annual glass auction charity event for 2006.
Selected work - Unearthed red cedar stump,art glass & wrought iron sculpture - purchased by Mr.Dennis Hunter,Spain.

* 2006
Europe - Spain - Barcelona - Hotel Torre Catalunya 05.10.06 to 30.11.2006.
Australian and New Zealand Gastronomy month officially opened and endorsed by both Countries Ambassadors.
Europe - Switzerland - Burgdorf 14.10.06 to 20.02.07 Select pieces on display at Glass Inspiration Gallery.
Europe - Hungary - Budapest - Red Earth Galeria 16.10.06 Permanent display and Official European Headquarters for Tina Cooper Glass U.S.A. - Philadelphia - National Liberty Museum 07.10.06 Annual Charity Auction - donated Tribal Tribute, purchased on the night.
Australia - Queensland - Kuranda - Australis Art Gallery Large quantity of work purchased by Mr.John Collingwood for the Galleries Indigenous Theme.
Collection of 8 Enchanted Forest Series by Lela Brochmann for Tongan Marriage Urns. Commision - West Australia - Perth
4 Tribal Tributes for the front foyer of Joe Oxley's - Richardson Hotel.
Exhibition - Queensland - Noosa Heads - David Hart Gallery and launch of new Tribal Tribute "Scent Bottles and Urns"
November 2006. New South Wales - Murwillumbah - Escape Gallery.
Editorials - Montville Times , Sunshine Coast Daily , Sunshine Coast Weekender.

* 2007
Opened The Tina Cooper Art and Glass Gallery Eumundi
250 Sq metre of gallery space at 106 Memorial Drive.
Showcasing the largest range of her work along side local contemporary and indigenous artists work.
Guest Artist at Sydney Botanical Gardens Art Exhibition Dec 2007 Parliament House - Lisa Friend launched Tribal Tribute Series. Headed by Indigenous artist Nuna.
New Galleries-
Classic Décor, Adelaide
Gallery Beneath Maroochydore
David Heart Exhibition
Editorials-
Style Magazine, Noosa News
Sunshine Coast Daily
Range News
Montville Times
Hinterland News
Local Times 7 Local News and the Weekender Launched New Glass Series Solar Flare Series Zulu and Deep Forest Series Collaborations / Sculptures- The Brolga by Tina Cooper Glass, Roger Chadwick wood artisan, Tom Squire iron work, Peter Mulcahy indigenous artist The Trinity Phoenix and Gecko's Cave by Roger Chadwick and Tom Squire Work Adorned by Gary Lisle lamp work and glass artist.

* 2008
Exhibitions-
Launched The Primordial Series Introducing new indigenous artist Sue McPherson The Out Back Sunset Series The Maleny Wood Expo - Best Display Award The Cooper Gallery - Hastings Street Noosa Naidoc Week July 2008 - guest artist Sue McPherson Veronica George Gallery, Victoria, November 2008 Liberty Museum, Philadelphia State, USA Just Imagine Gallery Russell NZ December 2008
Awards-
Eumundi Business Awards 2008 - Winner - Best Product or Service New Galleries- The Cooper Gallery - Hastings Street, Noosa Just Imagine Gallery - Russell, New Zealand Veronica George - Melbourne
Commission-
Del Tandy - Sea Life

* 2009
February - Expansion of Tina Cooper Gallery - New exhibition space, noe boasting over 310 sq m April - Launch Eumundi Gallery Trail Editorials - Noosa News - Sunshine Coast Daily - Eumundi Green - Melbourne Age - Profile Magazine - Double spread editorial Noosa Style Magazine - Hervey Bay Channel 7 Exhibitions - Melt Exhibition - Introducing indigenous artist Sue McPherson to hot glass 12th April - 1st July Red Desert Dreaming - Melbourne Metier - Japan Spirit of Down Under - Sydney Territory Colours - Darwin Richardson Hotel - Perth Visual Sensations - Yandina Jam Factory - Adelaide - 'Drinking Vessels'
Veronica George - Melbourne - 'The Bold & the Beautiful'
New Series -
Sea Swirl
Melt - 'Sisters united in Glass'
Fab Series
Enchanted Forest - Bee Series
See Pods - Roger Chadwick (wood)
Pebble Creek
Collaborations -
Melt - Tina Cooper (Glass) Sue McPherson (Glass - Engraving - Canvas) Tom Squire (Iron) Roger Chadwick (Wood) Lisa Delanoue (Lamp Work) Katherine Cooke (Lamp Work) Gary Lisle (Lamp Work) Ramada - Tina Cooper (Glass) Roger Chadwick (Wood) Lisa Delanoue (Lamp Work) Wolfgang Engel (Lamp Work) Greg Royer, Matt Quirk, Jonathon Westacott, Scott Woolcock (Glass) Commissions - Ramada Resort - Hervey Bay Sea Life Foyer Installations - Giant glass jellyfish and Floating ceiling.
Brian and Vanessa Stokes
Gary and Maree Llyle
Kevin and Jenny Winword
Fundraising -
Give me 5 for kids - Auction of glass didgeridoo / misc - raised $5350 Energex Auction - Black Opal piece worth $2500

* 2010
Editorials -
Noosa News (April)Sunshine Coast Daily (June) - Article on the imminent closure of the Sunshine Coast Hot Glass Studio Channel 7 Sunshine Coast - Interviewed and filmed blowing Sealife Pods - News Item on the imminent closure of the Sunshine Coast Hot Glass Studio Collaborations - Sealife Series with Wolfgang Engel Collectors - Patricia Tyers (Aust) Josefin Bodell (Sweden) Richard H Smith (USA) Sherri Williamson (British West Indies) Paul Kingsley (Aust) Commissions - Phoenix Memorials (Qld) - Ashes embedded in glass ball Paul Kingsley (Aust)