© Copyright Nejat Kavvas 2008 - 2021

Heritage

Formal Education

My interest in art, art history and archeology sprang naturally from my Turkish heritage. Having

been born in the land of many human inventions, including glass making, I have been fascinated

with glass objects since childhood. For example, as a youth I purchased one of my first antique

Ionian, tear-drop, glass bottles dating from the 5th century AD. Then, when I was barely 18 years

old, I bought a Lydian, black-glass bracelet dating from the 7th century BC. By observing

antiques, and precious objects in hundreds of museums, are galleries and archeological sites

throughout the world, and having been raised in Anatolia, the cultural crossroads between Asia

and Europe, over the years I have gained much inspiration from what I have seen and

experienced. Consequently, I am enjoying channeling this knowledge into creatively expressing

of my own ideas through different mediums like glass, stainless steel and bronze.

BACHELOR OF PHARMACY, MARMARA UNIVERSITY, ISTANBUL, TURKEY 1974

Including concentrated studies in Archeology, History, Classical Studies, and Art History

Studio Glass Education

STRIPGLASS SCHOOL, TILBURG, THE NETHERLANDS 2010

Flameworking Course with Julie Denton


GLASS FURNACE SCHOOL, ISTANBUL, TURKEY 2009

Pate de Verre Course with Prof. Etsuko Nishi


CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA USA 2009

Sandcasting Course with Prof. Cassandra Straubing


PILCHUCK SCHOOL OF GLASS, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON USA 2009

Sandcasting Course with Stephen Day


ART STATION GLASS STUDIO, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND 2008

Silicon Mold Making Workshop


ART STATION GLASS STUDIO, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND 2008

Glass Casting Course

Professional Studios

KAVVAS GLASS STUDIO, NORTH SHORE, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND,

2009-PRESENT


RICHMOND ROAD STUDIO, TE ATATU NORTH, AUCKLAND, 2008-2009

Exhibitions & Activities

A KID IN A LOLLY SHOP, solo exhibition at Parnell Gallery, Auckland New Zealand 2020


NZSAG Member Exhibition,  Whanganui, 2020


ACCELERATION, Solo exhibition at Gama Gallery, Istanbul Turkey, 2019


ART MIAMI ART EXPO, Miami Florida USA, 2018


ISTANBUL COMTEMPORARY ART EXPO, Istanbul Turkey, 2018


EXISTANCE IN SPACE, solo exhibition. Art Bay Gallery Queenstown, New Zealand 2017

     

TRANSPARENT TALES solo exhibition at Galeri Selvin Istanbul 2015


PARNELL GALLERY, Auckland Art Week, Sculpture Making Demonstration, 2013

ARMAGGAN GALLERY, ART 24/7 VOLUME:2, Istanbul 2013

GLASS FURNACE SCHOOL, Teaching A-Z Mold Making and Kiln Casting Course, Istanbul 2013

KAVVAS GLASS STUDIO, Master Mould Making Course, 2012

RON SANG GALLERY, Invitational Exhibition 2012

CLAUDIA BORELLA GLASS SCHOOL, Teaching at Master Mould Making Workshop 2012

ARMAGGAN GALLERY, Group Exhibition, Istanbul 2011

SOFA CHICAGO, Armaggan Gallery 2011

RON SANG GALLERY, Invitational Exhibition 2011

RED SPOT GALLERY, "Glass Masters" Group show 2011

ARMAGGAN GALLERY, Invitational Exhibition 2011

FLAGSTAFF GALLERY, Solo Exhibition "Glassification" 2010

RON SANG GALLERY, Invitational Exhibition 2010

UXBRIDGE CREATIVE CENTRE, Invitational Exhibition "Exposed" 2010

MOLLY MORPETH CANADAY AWARD, Finalist 2010

RANAMOK GLASS COMPETITION, Finalist 2009

CORBAN ESTATE ART CENTRE, "Eye Candy" 2009

ART STATION, "Ten Years of Glass" 2009

Industrial Glass Experience

DISTRIBUTOR: Import and distribution of mouth blown and various types of

glasswre from Europe comprising about 19% of the total annual glass imports to

New Zealand . 1985-1997

CONSULTANT: Consultant for minor manufacturers in New Zealand regarding

"surface metalizing" of glass surfaces. Introduced new formulations to the industry,

saving almost 35% on silver usage, making New Zealand mirrors competitive.

INVENTOR: Invention and patent application for a unique sandblasting technique

making the mass production of fine designs possible. Sold license in 1982.

Annual visits to international glassware and design fairs in Europe.

Numerous visits to commercial glass manufacturers, enabling design and

production input

Related Professional Experience

In 1997 I established TechLoom & Carpet Creations. Through this business, I

custom designed and fabricated rugs and carpets from pure New Zealand wool for

prominent international hotels, offices and private homes in New Zealand and

overseas. I created almost 400 unique designs. Many of my rugs were

commissioned by notable interior designers, and architects. I also collaborated with

prominent New Zealand painters such as Ralph Hotere, John Papas, Des

Robertshaw, John S. Park to incorporate their paintings in a carpet design.

Artist's Statement

Artists are raconteurs of their society and of their epoch. Their language is the material they

use. I use different mediums like bronze, glass, stone, plastics etc. to tell my story. I try to

create artworks, with personality; that transmit sensations, with elements of fiction or

fantasy.

FLORENCE ART ACADEMY, figurative sculpture studies. Florence Italy, 2018


ROME WORKSHOP, Washington University, Rome Italy, 2017


GLASS FURNACE SCHOOL, teaching “A-Z Mold Making & Kiln Casting Workshop” Istanbul 2013


CLAUDIA BORELLA DESIGN SCHOOL, teaching, “Master Mold Making Workshop” Wanganui 2012