Shifting Horizons: Exploring the intersection of landscape & human experience in the evolving realm of sustainable glassmaking

Within the field of glass art, it evident that 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 aims to reveal a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between humans, nature, and the things we create. Reviewing crafted objects not just as isolated artefacts but as objects intimately linked to the contexts from which they emerge. Amidst the currents of change that define our current context, it is<br/>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 in terms of its material properties, it is infinitely recyclable when appropriately cleaned and sorted. As a material recycled glass can offer sustainable solutions that actively reduce environmental impact. A movement towards more sustainable and locally sourced materials is apparent in the work of many glass makers who work to reduce, reuse or recycle glass. However, makers are not just driven by ecological concerns but also by an acknowledgement of the unique qualities of the materials and resources they use. Makers are increasingly seeking to imbue their work with a sense of place, exploring the inherent properties and origin stories of the materials they use. In turn,<br/>many glass 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 Gregory Alliss, Carrie Fertig, Sean Fraser, Jessamy Kelly, Inge Panneels, Pinkie McClure, and Jeff Zimmer will be introduced. Glass makers who explore human experience and the impact of humanity on the natural world through their creative glass practices. Finally, this paper will examine how creative expression can amplify voices and inspire meaningful change in our approaches and relationships to glassmaking. It will also highlight the profound role of glass<br/>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.