Born in Melbourne Victoria, Marlene first become introduced to glass through the craft of leadlight, however she soon became frustrated with the barriers of lead that prohibited the flow and connection of colour. Glass fusing became the obvious transition and over the years along with the inspiration of fellow glass artists and persistence, Marlene created her path.
Born 1970 Melbourne Victoria
Introduced to glass in 1992 I became fascinated with the texture, colour and form that could be created. It was in 2006 I took the plunge to totally immerse myself as a full-time glass maker. My work is influenced by my environment and surroundings, water and nature.
I love to forage and collect ...there is something about what it brings. The visual process begins almost instantly and the excitement sets in. My current focus is working with disposed, found glass and printmaking with my focus on crushing glass bringing it together by altering the surface texture to emulate both the fragility and strength within that embodies us all. I am particularly interested in the forms and vessels that can be created.
Boundaries are those that you create so I choose to be free of them – the landscapes, movement and energy that surround me are my inspiration
- Marlene Abela
Education
2012 Jiyong Lee Master Class – Canberra Glassworks
2013 Kristen McFarlane & Brenda Page Master Class – Blue Dog Glass
Public Art
2012 City Of Casey – Fairhaven Childcare Centre
Exhibitions
2008-Meeniyan Art & Craft Exhibition – winner Craft/Other Medium
Frankston Arts Centre – Exhibition - Glass Cabinets Main Foyer
Kingston Arts Centre – Glass Cabinets Main Foyer
Kingston Arts Centre – Gifted Exhibition – December
775 Gallery Red Hill – Collaborated works
2009 - Meeniyan Art Gallery – Exhibition Collaboration Glass and Steel
Frankston Arts Centre – Exhibition - Main Foyer
Kingston Arts Centre – Gifted Exhibition- December
Frankston Arts Centre – Exhibition - Sound Silence
Touring Exhibition Victoria Wide– Be Jewelled (ongoing)
Mirboo North Art Exhibition – Won-Best Piece in Glass
Derinya Art Exhibition
Mt Eliza Art Exhibition
775 Gallery – Small Works Group Exhibition
2010 - Frankston Art Centre – Exhibition - February to April
Mirboo North Exhibition – Won –Best in Glass - May
Toorak Sculpture Exhibition – May
Malvern Artist Society Gallery – Zoneone Arts – July
Derinya Art Exhibition – July Featured Artist
Meeniyan Art Show – Won - Best in Glass – Nov
Frankston Art Centre – Show - Nov
Frankston Arts Centre – Exhibition - Nov to Jan
2011 - Mirboo North Art Show - May
Derinya Art Show - July
Meeniyan Art Show - Nov
Frankston Arts Centre – Dec/Jan
Sculpture in the Vineyard – Koonwarra
Gippsland Be Inspired – Archie’s by the Creek Sculpture Exhibition
Oak Hill Gallery – Solo Show - August
2012 - Archie’s by the Creek – Solo Exhibition – Mar
Camberwell Art Show
Meeniyan Art Show – Nov
Frankston Art Centre - Oct – Nov
Lyre Bird Hill Sculpture in the Vineyard – Oct
2013 - Artfusion Studio & Gallery - Relocated to new premises
Artfusion Gallery – New Works Exhibition
Canterbury Art Exhibition
Corinella Art Show
San Remo Art Show
CamArt Show