Alan Ussher was born in 1978, and spent his childhood in the bush and around the creeks in the little town of Currabubula NSW. From an early age Alan has had an interest in art and music, and in 2000, was invited to begin lampworking by his late friend Marcel Le Bars at Barkersvale NSW.
Alan was accepted into the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme in 2002 and later sought private tuition with Peter Minson, who comes from a family of scientific glassblowers.
Since that time, Alan has engaged in years of practice and research in contemporary flameworking.
Flameworking is a style of glassblowing whereby glass tube and rods are melted and manipulated in the flame of a bench torch.
In 2005, Alan began working full time in his studio at Silver Cloud Studios (The Old Chocolate Factory) in Lismore, where he continues to refine his skills.
In 2007 Alan was invited to be a part of the annual “Glass on Flame” exhibition at Kirra Gallery in Melbourne, which is an annual exhibition of Australia’s finest lampworkers. Alan participated in a series of public demonstrations there and also attended and demonstrated there in 2008 and 2009. There Alan has demonstrated and exchanged skills alongside other experienced glassblowers such as Christian Arnold, Mark Elliot, Bernie Stoner, Raymond Mifsud, Pauline Delainey, Cas Davey, Richard Clements, Matthew Farrell and Peter Minson.
‘I place a lot of emphasis on creating work that is of high quality. Many years of practice and research have brought me to where I am now, though I feel as though I am only just getting started in this medium. New designs are continuously emerging, and I feel very happy to be immersed in such a challenging, versatile, beautiful and exciting medium.
I have begun turning my attention toward more sculptural work of late, and have begun engaging in studies of anatomical forms.’
Alan performs glassblowing demonstrations on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at the Lismore Carboot Market, where he has work for sale & now also sells work from his studio at Silver Cloud Studios, which is open to the public most afternoons through the week, or by appointment.
Alan builds and maintains his own website where he has an online shopping facility and a beautiful collection of portfolio images.
Alan supports himself from his glass art and sells work through art galleries, retail outlets, market stalls & his online stores.