RANAMOK PRIZE FOR LOCAL ARTIST MATTHEW RYAN

Chief Minister and Minister for the Arts Jon Stanhope congratulated local glass artist Matthew Ryan on receiving the 2008 Ranamok Glass Prize.

Matthew Ryan's work A Net for Light #1 was awarded the prestigious $10,000 prize at the opening of the exhibition at the Canberra Glassworks this evening.

"Mr Ryan has created a stunning glass work that is worthy of the prestigious award it has received tonight," Mr Stanhope said. "The artwork uses cast furnace glass that has been hot-formed and cold-worked to produce a fascinating and sensuous effect."

Mr Ryan trained in mediaeval stained glass techniques and has worked extensively in the United Kingdom. He moved to Canberra from New South Wales in 2007 after the opening of the Canberra Glassworks. He also assists a number of local glass artists in producing their work.

The Ranamok Glass Prize is the most significant glass award for Australian and New Zealand glass art. The highly-selective prize has a strong reputation internationally and has launched the careers of many leading glass artists. The exhibition regularly includes strong representation from artists living and working in the Canberra region.

The Ranamok Glass Prize is a travelling exhibition that will be on display at the Canberra Glassworks from 26 August until 21 September 2008 and tour venues in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia until August 2009.

For more information visit the Ranamok Glass Prize website at http://www.ranamok.com/. For more information on glasswork contact the Canberra Glassworks on (02) 6260 7005 or visit http://www.canberraglassworks.com/.