John Croucher (New Zealand), glass

John Croucher (1951-2023) was a pioneering New Zealand glass artist, glassmaker, and alchemist. He played a leading role in the development of studio glass in New Zealand and internationally, and was known for his innovative techniques in glassblowing and glassmaking, as well as his development of new colors and textures for glass.

Croucher was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1951. He began his career as a potter, but in the early 1970s he became interested in glassblowing. He travelled to the United States to study glassblowing at the Pilchuck Glass School, where he was taught by some of the leading glass artists of the time, including Dale Chihuly and Marvin Lipofsky.

After returning to New Zealand, Croucher set up his own glassblowing studio in Auckland. He quickly established himself as one of the leading glass artists in the country. He was known for his innovative techniques in glassblowing, more... such as his use of multiple layers of glass to create complex and colourful forms. He was also one of the first glass artists in New Zealand to use kilncasting, a technique that allows for the creation of large and complex glass forms.

In the early 1990s, Croucher became interested in glassmaking. He began experimenting with different recipes for glass and developed a number of new colours and textures. In 1993, he founded Gaffer Coloured Glass Ltd., a company that manufactures and sells coloured glass for glass blowing. Gaffer Glass quickly became known for its wide range of colors and high quality glass.

Croucher's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world. He has also received numerous awards for his work, including the prestigious New Zealand Society of Arts and Crafts Award in 2007.

Croucher died in 2023 at the age of 72. He left behind a legacy as one of the most important and influential glass artists in New Zealand history. less...