News

Glass art speaks to fragile past – major commission at Australian War Memorial

Over 1800 glass eucalypt leaves created by Annette Blair evoke memories and the Australian landscape as a first encounter in the new War Memorial entrance.

27 Feb 2025 17:07

Gina Fairley

Woman in black top with dark hair looking at floating sculpture of glass leaves. Annette Blair

Visual Arts

Annette Blair ‘Quiet Skies’ 2025. Photo: Adam McGrath for Canberra Glassworks.

As the Australian War Memorial’s (AWM) rebuild advances, one of its signature new art commissions that defines the new building has been unveiled.

Created by Canberra glass artist Annette Blair, some 1800 handcrafted glass eucalypt leaves gently fill a two-storey void of the spiral stairwells that are part of the new main entrance to the memorial.

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Gina Fairley

Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW. Instagram: fairleygina