Glass artist Jenny McLeod creates a variety of work including functional glassware, sculpture, outdoor installation and exhibition pieces.

Much of Jenny’s works incorporate fused glass and metal work. This process involves sheet glass being cut and layered in a kiln at high temperatures which means the sheets melt together. The desired pattern is created when the molten glass sheets sink into designs hand-drawn into sand during the firing. Metals are fused in between layers and most pieces undergo multiple firings.

Jenny also incorporates a range of mixed media into her pieces, including materials like concrete, pumice, copper, shells and NZ native fibre, harakeke (flax). She says “I enjoy working with all these materials, and am inspired by their natural quality and unlimited possibilities”.

This mixed media approach is beautifully shown in her Wall Necklace series, where large pieces of glass, copper, wood and metal are threaded on oversized ‘chains’ to create beautiful Pacific-inspired wall jewellery. These pieces reference Pacific approaches to costume and ornamentation.

Jenny’s works are held in private collections throughout Australasia, the UK and USA.

She is a member of NZSAG and she exhibits throughout New Zealand in galleries and outdoor sculpture events.

Jenny gained a diploma with distinction at Carrington Polytechnic in Auckland, New Zealand, studying Craft and Design. She set up her first kiln studio at home after receiving a QEII Arts Council New Artist grant. She slumps, cuts and layers throughout the glass fusion process to create her now renowned original designs.

You’ll also find her art outside, where Jenny has built on her glasswork using mixed media materials, creating larger garden sculptures and installations.