Julio Santos: 30 Years with Glass

Julio Santos, Flat central twist cabac, 1997, hand blown glass, 29 x 17 x 8cm

Julio Santos is one of the oldest artists still practicing his craft form from the vast group and myriad of craftspeople that emerged in Australia in the 1970s. Many have left the arena, some have passed on but luckily for the art loving public a number have remained and like all good cheeses they have matured and continue to give us pleasure – something to savor and enjoy. Santos, although born in Portugal is one of the few artists, readily at home, within the Australian art glass tradition and still a comfort to experience and appreciate. Santos continues to make the goblets for which he was and is still renowned for and which are splendidly utilitarian. Yet he can fashion personally designed vessels which with light, reflect and refract color in the most unique forms, shapes and idiosyncratic fancies.